Cooks Institution and Cafeteria Pay Range in Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$30,000
- 25th Percentile — Junior$34,920
- 50th Percentile — Median$37,890
- 75th Percentile — Senior$44,460
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$47,940
Half of Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Virginia earn more than $37,890. The top 10% make $47,940 or more, while entry-level workers start around $30,000.
Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Virginia ranks 24th of 51 states for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria pay, at $39,500 per year (1.8% above the U.S. average of $38,810).
- 11,170 people work as Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Virginia — 2.5% of all U.S. Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs.
- Location quotient 0.96: Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs are less concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $30,000; the top 10% earn over $47,940.
- Hourly equivalent: $18.99 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $52,100.
- Among hospitality jobs in Virginia, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($65,320).
Cooks Institution and Cafeteria Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Cooks Institution and Cafeteria here earn $39,500 on average, placing the state 24th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $39,500 is roughly equivalent to $35,909 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Arizona ($41,350), North Dakota ($41,140), Wisconsin ($39,860) 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 Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $65,320/yr Virginia +65.4% vs this role
- Bartenders $54,200/yr Virginia +37.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $46,810/yr Virginia +18.5% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $46,680/yr Virginia +18.2% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $38,180/yr Virginia 3.3% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $34,850/yr Virginia 11.8% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $31,980/yr Virginia 19.0% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $31,930/yr Virginia 19.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cooks Institution and Cafeteria salary in Virginia?
The average Cooks Institution and Cafeteria salary in Virginia is $39,500 per year (median $37,890), which is 1.8% above the national average of $38,810.
How does Virginia rank for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria pay?
Virginia ranks 24th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($52,100/yr).
How much do entry-level Cooks Institution and Cafeteria make in Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Virginia earn about $30,000 per year and the 25th percentile is $34,920.
How much do Cooks Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in Virginia?
About $18.99 per hour, based on the $39,500 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cooks Institution and Cafeteria work in Virginia?
BLS counts 11,170 Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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