Arizona ranks 18th of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay, trailing top-paying Washington ($48,260) by $8,790 — a 22% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $34,150 to $48,280 — a $14,130 spread, 34% tighter than the national $21,520 range.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria are less concentrated in Arizona than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.74 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.35× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $34,150 | $16.42 |
| 25th percentile | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,470 | $18.97 |
| 75th percentile | $44,820 | $21.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,280 | $23.21 |
| Mean (average) | $40,890 | $19.66 |
How Arizona Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona (current) | $39,470 | n/a |
| Washington | $48,260 | +22% |
| Hawaii | $47,250 | +20% |
| Alaska | $46,900 | +19% |
| Massachusetts | $46,280 | +17% |
| Connecticut | $45,870 | +16% |
| California | $45,680 | +16% |
| District of Columbia | $45,600 | +16% |
| Rhode Island | $45,450 | +15% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Arizona
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | $39,570 | 6,630 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $39,580 | 1,430 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $39,600 | N/A |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $39,650 | 2,020 |
| Food Batchmakers | $39,270 | 2,240 |
| Sewing Machine Operators | $39,240 | 1,340 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Arizona?
The mean cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Arizona is $40,890 per year. The median (middle) salary is $39,470 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Arizona?
Entry-level cooks, institution and cafeterias (10th percentile) in Arizona typically earn around $34,150 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $36,900 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Arizona?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Arizona make approximately $48,280 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $44,820 per year.
How does the Arizona Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Arizona is $39,470, which is +8% above national average of $36,450.