California ranks 6th of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay, trailing top-paying Washington ($48,260) by $2,580 — a 6% gap.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria are less concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.52 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.92× below the national share.
California employs roughly 6.1% of all cooks, institution and cafeteria in the country (27,320 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| 25th percentile | $39,200 | $18.84 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $45,680 | $21.96 |
| 75th percentile | $50,350 | $24.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| Mean (average) | $47,060 | $22.63 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $45,680 | n/a |
| Washington | $48,260 | +6% |
| Hawaii | $47,250 | +3% |
| Alaska | $46,900 | +3% |
| Massachusetts | $46,280 | +1% |
| Connecticut | $45,870 | +0% |
| District of Columbia | $45,600 | +0% |
| Rhode Island | $45,450 | -1% |
| New Hampshire | $45,280 | -1% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Data Entry Keyers | $45,680 | 14,040 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians | $45,680 | 19,020 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,640 | 7,800 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,610 | 3,150 |
| Light Truck Drivers | $45,500 | 117,250 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $45,880 | 49,260 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in California?
The mean cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in California is $47,060 per year. The median (middle) salary is $45,680 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in California?
Entry-level cooks, institution and cafeterias (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $36,710 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $39,200 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $59,960 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $50,350 per year.
How does the California Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in California is $45,680, which is +25% above national average of $36,450.