Cooks Institution and Cafeteria Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$37,570
- 25th Percentile — Junior$40,240
- 50th Percentile — Median$46,390
- 75th Percentile — Senior$52,060
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$59,630
Half of Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in California earn more than $46,390. The top 10% make $59,630 or more, while entry-level workers start around $37,570.
Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 5th of 51 states for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria pay, at $47,900 per year (23.4% above the U.S. average of $38,810).
- 31,660 people work as Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in California — 7.2% of all U.S. Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs.
- Location quotient 0.61: Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,570; the top 10% earn over $59,630.
- Hourly equivalent: $23.03 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $52,100.
- Among hospitality jobs in California, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($69,130).
Cooks Institution and Cafeteria Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Cooks Institution and Cafeteria here earn $47,900 on average, placing the state 5th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $47,900 is roughly equivalent to $33,732 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Hawaii ($52,100), Washington ($51,290), Alaska ($49,410) are the closest alternatives for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $69,130/yr California +44.3% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $52,810/yr California +10.3% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $45,020/yr California 6.0% vs this role
- Bartenders $44,780/yr California 6.5% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $44,600/yr California 6.9% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $41,680/yr California 13.0% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $41,490/yr California 13.4% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $40,660/yr California 15.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cooks Institution and Cafeteria salary in California?
The average Cooks Institution and Cafeteria salary in California is $47,900 per year (median $46,390), which is 23.4% above the national average of $38,810.
How does California rank for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria pay?
California ranks 5th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($52,100/yr).
How much do entry-level Cooks Institution and Cafeteria make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in California earn about $37,570 per year and the 25th percentile is $40,240.
How much do Cooks Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in California?
About $23.03 per hour, based on the $47,900 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cooks Institution and Cafeteria work in California?
BLS counts 31,660 Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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