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Cafeteria Cook Salary in the United States

How much does a Cafeteria Cook make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cafeteria Cook in the United States is $38,344 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

However, a Cafeteria Cook's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $47,152
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $34,600 to $42,954
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $31,191
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Cafeteria Cook Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Cafeteria Cook Salaries

A Cafeteria Cook's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Cafeteria Cook Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cafeteria Cook's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $36,133
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $36,247
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $36,815
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $37,831
  • Expert (over 8 years): $39,112
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Cafeteria Cook less than 1 year $36,133
Early Career Level Cafeteria Cook 1-2 years $36,247
Mid-Level Level Cafeteria Cook 2-4 years $36,815
Senior-Level Level Cafeteria Cook 5-8 years $37,831
Expert Level Cafeteria Cook over 8 years $39,112

How Do Cafeteria Cook Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Cafeteria Cooks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $42,454.
  • California: $42,293.
  • Massachusetts: $41,729.

Top Paying Cities for Cafeteria Cook

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $48,363
  • San Francisco: $47,833
  • Oakland: $46,825

Cafeteria Cook Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cafeteria Cook roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Cafeteria Cook positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cafeteria Cook as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cafeteria Cook

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $47,930 $23.0 25%
Construction $46,012 $22.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $46,012 $22.0 20%
Insurance $44,095 $21.0 15%
Business Services $42,178 $20.0 10%

How Education impacts a Cafeteria Cook's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cafeteria Cook professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Cafeteria Cook with a high school is between $39,539 and $41,869.

Cafeteria Cook Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Cafeteria Cook
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 5.2%
High School 53.5%
Associate's Degree 30.3%
Bachelor's Degree 10%
Master's Degree or MBA 0.6%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.3%
View as Graph

Cafeteria Cook Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cafeteria Cook's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$34,600
Average $38,344/year
$42,954
$2,883
Average $3,195/month
$3,580
$665
Average $737/week
$826
$17
Average $18/hour
$21
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $42,954 $3,580 $826 $21
Average $38,344 $3,195 $737 $18
25th Percentile $34,600 $2,883 $665 $17

Most common benefits for Cafeteria Cook

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Cafeteria Cook

Here are companies hiring for Cafeteria Cook and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Cafeteria Cook Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cafeteria Cook job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Mechanical Field Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    7 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    SVP Revenue Growth

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    8 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    Staff Accountant

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    Senior Account

    Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    About the Opportunity. ACG Systems is a mission-critical communications platform. Through Morcom, an ACG Systems company, we design, deploy, and support wi... more

    8 Days Ago

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FAQ about Cafeteria Cook

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Cafeteria Cook?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Cafeteria Cook roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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