Institution Cook Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Many school districts provide on-the-job training and summer workshops for cafeteria kitchen workers who wish to become chefs. Food service management companies and hotel and restaurant chains also offer paid internships and summer jobs to those starting out in the field.
The American Culinary Federation accredits more than 200 formal academic training programs and sponsors apprenticeship programs all across the country. Typical apprenticeships last 2 years and combine classroom training and work experience. Accreditation is an indication that a culinary program meets recognized standards regarding course content, facilities and quality of instruction.
Training and Education
Employees normally have moderate-term on-the-job training before landing a job. Degrees are held by 5% of current institution cooks. Post-secondary schooling was enough for 19% of workers. Education topped out at high school for 77% of employees.
Job Overview
Institution cooks work in the kitchens of schools, cafeterias, businesses, hospitals and other institutions. They prepare food according to predetermined menus. They must plan a balanced diet and prepare the meals as economically as possible. Some cooks may also determine the price of a meal.
Job Requirements
The American Culinary Federation certifies pastry professionals, personal chefs and culinary educators, in addition to various levels of chefs. Certification standards are based primarily on experience and formal training. Although certification is not required, it can help to prove accomplishment and lead to advancement and higher-paying positions.
Institution cooks should be efficient, quick and work well in a team. They should be creative and have an intense sense of taste and smell. Personal cleanliness is essential because most states require health certificates indicating workers are free from communicable diseases.
Nature of Work
Institutional kitchens usually have modern equipment, air conditioning and convenient work areas. Kitchens in older and smaller eating places, however, might not be so well designed. They are required to work in small kitchens against hot stoves and ovens and stand for hours at a time. Work hours can be early mornings, late evenings, holidays and weekends.
Area Job Conditions
You'll see a lot of institution cooks in Hinesville (Georgia), Lawton (Oklahoma), and Weirton (West Virginia), and comparatively fewer in Jacksonville (North Carolina), Holland (Michigan), and Las Vegas (Nevada).
Wages for Workers are highest in El Centro (California), Fairbanks (Alaska), and Hanford (California), and lowest in Alexandria (Louisiana), Lake Charles (Louisiana), and Warner Robins (Georgia).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Part-time work suffices for 30% of institution cooks. Workers working on their own make up 1% of the total.
Career Videos
Institution Cooks by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston | $18,000 | 200 | +99% |
| Auburn | $19,000 | 180 | +85% |
| Birmingham | $20,000 | 1,420 | +14% |
| Decatur | $18,000 | 230 | +92% |
| Dothan | $19,000 | 220 | +67% |
| Florence | $18,000 | 240 | +106% |
| Gadsden | $18,000 | 150 | +101% |
| Huntsville | $23,000 | 670 | +31% |
| Mobile | $21,000 | 530 | +23% |
| Montgomery | $18,000 | 710 | +79% |
| Tuscaloosa | $19,000 | 570 | +170% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $34,000 | 260 | -36% |
| Fairbanks | $40,000 | 40 | -42% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $30,000 | 220 | +74% |
| Kingman | $25,000 | 180 | +72% |
| Phoenix | $25,000 | 2,650 | -41% |
| Prescott | $23,000 | 240 | +98% |
| Tucson | $26,000 | 630 | -27% |
| Yuma | $25,000 | 120 | -4% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $21,000 | 1,180 | +136% |
| Fort Smith | $19,000 | 700 | +138% |
| Hot Springs | $21,000 | 230 | +196% |
| Jonesboro | $19,000 | 330 | +220% |
| Little Rock | $22,000 | 1,750 | +102% |
| Pine Bluff | $20,000 | 280 | +337% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $33,000 | 580 | -10% |
| Chico | $26,000 | 180 | +13% |
| El Centro | $32,000 | 130 | +17% |
| Fresno | $27,000 | 530 | -34% |
| Hanford | $37,000 | 150 | +106% |
| Los Angeles | $27,000 | 5,170 | -50% |
| Madera | $33,000 | 220 | +224% |
| Merced | $29,000 | 210 | +64% |
| Modesto | $26,000 | 220 | -42% |
| Napa | $31,000 | 90 | -37% |
| Oakland | $31,000 | 1,200 | -53% |
| Oxnard | $28,000 | 760 | +2% |
| Redding | $25,000 | 190 | +40% |
| Riverside | $30,000 | 2,380 | -22% |
| Sacramento | $30,000 | 1,370 | -38% |
| Salinas | $34,000 | 330 | -15% |
| San Diego | $28,000 | 1,580 | -53% |
| San Francisco | $34,000 | 1,450 | -43% |
| San Jose | $30,000 | 1,450 | -36% |
| San Luis Obispo | $31,000 | 140 | -36% |
| Santa Ana | $30,000 | 1,410 | -62% |
| Santa Barbara | $28,000 | 450 | +10% |
| Santa Cruz | $26,000 | 300 | +48% |
| Santa Rosa | $30,000 | 320 | -25% |
| Stockton | $29,000 | 340 | -34% |
| Vallejo | $36,000 | 290 | +1% |
| Visalia | $27,000 | 200 | -38% |
| Yuba City | $27,000 | 150 | +81% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $28,000 | 360 | -3% |
| Colorado Springs | $27,000 | 760 | +21% |
| Denver | $28,000 | 2,400 | -25% |
| Fort Collins | $27,000 | 260 | -14% |
| Grand Junction | $28,000 | 150 | +17% |
| Greeley | $25,000 | 180 | +8% |
| Pueblo | $30,000 | 210 | +64% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $35,000 | 830 | -23% |
| Danbury | $37,000 | 90 | -42% |
| Hartford | $34,000 | 1,330 | -9% |
| New Haven | $36,000 | 690 | +2% |
| Norwich | $29,000 | 830 | +183% |
| Waterbury | $30,000 | 120 | -23% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | $27,000 | 510 | +344% |
| Wilmington | $29,000 | 1,480 | +81% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $29,000 | 3,650 | -41% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $25,000 | 330 | -31% |
| Deltona | $23,000 | 330 | -11% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $23,000 | 1,400 | -21% |
| Fort Walton Beach | $23,000 | 170 | -4% |
| Gainesville | $24,000 | 160 | -45% |
| Jacksonville | $23,000 | 900 | -41% |
| Miami | $26,000 | 1,850 | -26% |
| Naples | $29,000 | 240 | -10% |
| Ocala | $22,000 | 120 | -42% |
| Orlando | $23,000 | 1,050 | -59% |
| Palm Bay | $23,000 | 490 | +1% |
| Panama City | $22,000 | 130 | -18% |
| Pensacola | $23,000 | 290 | -20% |
| Port St Lucie | $25,000 | 220 | -23% |
| Punta Gorda | $26,000 | 140 | +65% |
| Sarasota | $24,000 | 640 | +5% |
| Sebastian | $25,000 | 160 | +53% |
| Tallahassee | $21,000 | 330 | -16% |
| Tampa | $24,000 | 1,970 | -32% |
| West Palm Beach | $26,000 | 680 | -48% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $19,000 | 280 | +100% |
| Athens | $22,000 | 200 | +23% |
| Atlanta | $23,000 | 3,450 | -42% |
| Augusta | $22,000 | 670 | +32% |
| Brunswick | $18,000 | 250 | +180% |
| Columbus | $22,000 | 770 | +193% |
| Dalton | $23,000 | 70 | -55% |
| Gainesville | $20,000 | 110 | -31% |
| Hinesville | $28,000 | 160 | +511% |
| Macon | $19,000 | 240 | +13% |
| Rome | $19,000 | 180 | +140% |
| Savannah | $21,000 | 260 | -28% |
| Valdosta | $19,000 | 50 | -55% |
| Warner Robins | $18,000 | 120 | +0% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $34,000 | 690 | -38% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $23,000 | 910 | +40% |
| Coeur Dalene | $23,000 | 110 | -2% |
| Idaho Falls | $20,000 | 360 | +249% |
| Lewiston | $23,000 | 140 | +195% |
| Pocatello | $21,000 | 150 | +136% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $24,000 | 330 | +104% |
| Champaign | $23,000 | 250 | +3% |
| Chicago | $26,000 | 6,970 | -28% |
| Danville | $25,000 | 90 | +58% |
| Decatur | $22,000 | 190 | +90% |
| Kankakee | $22,000 | 160 | +79% |
| Peoria | $22,000 | 730 | +75% |
| Rockford | $27,000 | 380 | +12% |
| Springfield | $22,000 | 230 | -10% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $20,000 | 250 | +205% |
| Bloomington | $24,000 | 430 | +169% |
| Columbus | $22,000 | 90 | +9% |
| Elkhart | $22,000 | 430 | +67% |
| Evansville | $21,000 | 610 | +46% |
| Fort Wayne | $24,000 | 630 | +25% |
| Gary | $21,000 | 980 | +46% |
| Indianapolis | $22,000 | 2,650 | +16% |
| Kokomo | $21,000 | 250 | +197% |
| Lafayette | $24,000 | 440 | +152% |
| Michigan City | $20,000 | 150 | +68% |
| Muncie | $22,000 | 260 | +159% |
| South Bend | $22,000 | 400 | +29% |
| Terre Haute | $21,000 | 350 | +124% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | $27,000 | 220 | +174% |
| Cedar Rapids | $23,000 | 410 | +22% |
| Davenport | $22,000 | 580 | +27% |
| Des Moines | $24,000 | 690 | -16% |
| Dubuque | $23,000 | 190 | +59% |
| Iowa City | $27,000 | 320 | +97% |
| Sioux City | $22,000 | 300 | +79% |
| Waterloo | $23,000 | 380 | +90% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | $23,000 | 310 | +227% |
| Manhattan | $21,000 | 340 | +192% |
| Topeka | $23,000 | 460 | +75% |
| Wichita | $23,000 | 800 | +11% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $22,000 | 340 | +172% |
| Elizabethtown | $24,000 | 260 | +167% |
| Lexington | $25,000 | 1,170 | +96% |
| Owensboro | $23,000 | 330 | +215% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $20,000 | 210 | +44% |
| Baton Rouge | $20,000 | 1,310 | +40% |
| Houma | 220 | -2% | |
| Lafayette | $20,000 | 650 | +88% |
| Lake Charles | $17,000 | 600 | +190% |
| Monroe | $19,000 | 200 | +13% |
| New Orleans | $23,000 | 1,860 | +39% |
| Shreveport | $18,000 | 990 | +125% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $27,000 | 160 | +15% |
| Lewiston | $26,000 | 160 | +43% |
| Portland | $28,000 | 490 | -1% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $28,000 | 2,260 | -32% |
| Bethesda | $31,000 | 1,030 | -30% |
| Cumberland | $22,000 | 130 | +64% |
| Hagerstown | $24,000 | 380 | +66% |
| Salisbury | $23,000 | 110 | -8% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $32,000 | 300 | +28% |
| Boston | $31,000 | 4,560 | +3% |
| Brockton | $34,000 | 120 | -43% |
| Framingham | $33,000 | 390 | -2% |
| Haverhill | $31,000 | 220 | +15% |
| Lawrence | $31,000 | 130 | -4% |
| Leominster | 170 | +55% | |
| Lowell | $30,000 | 140 | -51% |
| New Bedford | $29,000 | 210 | +42% |
| Peabody | $31,000 | 200 | -17% |
| Springfield | $29,000 | 660 | -11% |
| Taunton | $31,000 | 110 | +12% |
| Worcester | $30,000 | 600 | -4% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $28,000 | 440 | +8% |
| Battle Creek | $26,000 | 250 | +116% |
| Bay City | $24,000 | 120 | +73% |
| Detroit | $27,000 | 1,210 | -29% |
| Flint | $23,000 | 600 | +91% |
| Grand Rapids | $27,000 | 890 | -6% |
| Holland | $26,000 | 170 | -25% |
| Jackson | $26,000 | 170 | +57% |
| Kalamazoo | $25,000 | 370 | +13% |
| Lansing | $28,000 | 480 | -2% |
| Monroe | $24,000 | 230 | +193% |
| Muskegon | $26,000 | 270 | +115% |
| Niles | $26,000 | 380 | +190% |
| Saginaw | $25,000 | 210 | +10% |
| Warren | $26,000 | 2,130 | -23% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $26,000 | 560 | +79% |
| Mankato | $25,000 | 180 | +42% |
| Minneapolis | $29,000 | 4,610 | +1% |
| Rochester | $30,000 | 200 | -18% |
| St Cloud | $25,000 | 280 | +24% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $22,000 | 500 | +96% |
| Hattiesburg | $20,000 | 390 | +202% |
| Jackson | $18,000 | 1,340 | +113% |
| Pascagoula | $19,000 | 180 | +76% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $21,000 | 290 | +196% |
| Columbia | $22,000 | 260 | +40% |
| Jefferson City | $21,000 | 320 | +87% |
| Joplin | $19,000 | 240 | +31% |
| Kansas City | $24,000 | 3,100 | +20% |
| Springfield | $21,000 | 850 | +81% |
| St Joseph | $21,000 | 300 | +164% |
| St Louis | $22,000 | 4,050 | +19% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $21,000 | 190 | -3% |
| Great Falls | $20,000 | 130 | +65% |
| Missoula | $23,000 | 130 | +11% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $24,000 | 470 | +20% |
| Omaha | $24,000 | 1,180 | -1% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City | $26,000 | 70 | +30% |
| Las Vegas | $30,000 | 690 | -68% |
| Reno | $29,000 | 230 | -51% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $29,000 | 220 | -10% |
| Nashua | $27,000 | 310 | -6% |
| Portsmouth | $28,000 | 70 | -46% |
| Rochester | $28,000 | 230 | +91% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $28,000 | 180 | -49% |
| Camden | $26,000 | 1,330 | +0% |
| Edison | $30,000 | 1,430 | -45% |
| Newark | $27,000 | 1,750 | -31% |
| Ocean City | $27,000 | 90 | +0% |
| Trenton | $28,000 | 380 | -33% |
| Vineland | $29,000 | 120 | -12% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $22,000 | 1,350 | +39% |
| Farmington | $21,000 | 280 | +154% |
| Las Cruces | $21,000 | 240 | +64% |
| Santa Fe | $24,000 | 120 | -15% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $26,000 | 820 | -28% |
| Binghamton | $25,000 | 300 | +12% |
| Buffalo | $26,000 | 1,280 | -9% |
| Elmira | $24,000 | 130 | +58% |
| Glens Falls | $27,000 | 130 | +11% |
| Ithaca | $34,000 | 230 | +158% |
| Kingston | $27,000 | 180 | +31% |
| Nassau | $32,000 | 1,810 | -44% |
| New York | $31,000 | 9,760 | -27% |
| Poughkeepsie | $30,000 | 720 | +17% |
| Rochester | $28,000 | 940 | -27% |
| Syracuse | $26,000 | 580 | -26% |
| Utica | $27,000 | 340 | +13% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $23,000 | 450 | +4% |
| Burlington | $25,000 | 90 | -30% |
| Charlotte | $23,000 | 1,300 | -40% |
| Durham | $27,000 | 490 | -29% |
| Fayetteville | $22,000 | 290 | -5% |
| Goldsboro | $24,000 | 120 | +36% |
| Greensboro | $23,000 | 560 | -37% |
| Greenville | $20,000 | 140 | -10% |
| Hickory | $21,000 | 280 | -22% |
| Jacksonville | $23,000 | 50 | -46% |
| Raleigh | $23,000 | 580 | -56% |
| Rocky Mount | $20,000 | 100 | -23% |
| Wilmington | $23,000 | 230 | -30% |
| Winston Salem | $22,000 | 470 | -10% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $24,000 | 210 | +41% |
| Fargo | $25,000 | 260 | -11% |
| Grand Forks | $25,000 | 140 | +31% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $27,000 | 1,220 | +51% |
| Canton | $24,000 | 740 | +82% |
| Cincinnati | $25,000 | 4,080 | +58% |
| Cleveland | $25,000 | 3,860 | +48% |
| Columbus | $28,000 | 2,720 | +16% |
| Dayton | $26,000 | 1,530 | +59% |
| Lima | $23,000 | 280 | +140% |
| Mansfield | $25,000 | 230 | +99% |
| Sandusky | $26,000 | 150 | +101% |
| Springfield | $25,000 | 330 | +211% |
| Steubenville | $19,000 | 330 | +264% |
| Toledo | $24,000 | 1,270 | +72% |
| Youngstown | $24,000 | 1,050 | +87% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawton | $22,000 | 350 | +294% |
| Oklahoma City | $20,000 | 2,330 | +59% |
| Tulsa | $21,000 | 1,780 | +64% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $26,000 | 170 | +18% |
| Corvallis | $23,000 | 210 | +273% |
| Eugene | $24,000 | 570 | +67% |
| Medford | $25,000 | 240 | +34% |
| Portland | $28,000 | 2,820 | +8% |
| Salem | $24,000 | 600 | +66% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $26,000 | 1,080 | +24% |
| Altoona | $24,000 | 290 | +110% |
| Erie | $23,000 | 590 | +91% |
| Harrisburg | $24,000 | 890 | +11% |
| Johnstown | $23,000 | 240 | +90% |
| Lancaster | $26,000 | 670 | +15% |
| Lebanon | $28,000 | 150 | +50% |
| Philadelphia | $28,000 | 6,300 | +29% |
| Pittsburgh | $24,000 | 3,960 | +35% |
| Reading | $26,000 | 520 | +27% |
| Scranton | $25,000 | 900 | +38% |
| State College | $26,000 | 170 | +19% |
| Williamsport | $23,000 | 230 | +100% |
| York | $27,000 | 500 | +16% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $33,000 | 1,380 | -2% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $20,000 | 230 | +81% |
| Charleston | $21,000 | 790 | +10% |
| Columbia | $21,000 | 1,360 | +54% |
| Florence | $19,000 | 430 | +133% |
| Greenville | $20,000 | 1,400 | +87% |
| Myrtle Beach | $22,000 | 490 | +89% |
| Sumter | $21,000 | 130 | +87% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $24,000 | 220 | +51% |
| Sioux Falls | $23,000 | 640 | +90% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $21,000 | 580 | +3% |
| Clarksville | $24,000 | 340 | +87% |
| Cleveland | $19,000 | 490 | +567% |
| Jackson | $19,000 | 440 | +231% |
| Johnson City | $20,000 | 310 | +87% |
| Kingsport | $19,000 | 420 | +44% |
| Knoxville | $22,000 | 1,730 | +107% |
| Memphis | $23,000 | 2,540 | +62% |
| Morristown | $19,000 | 660 | +555% |
| Nashville | $21,000 | 3,740 | +98% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $19,000 | 260 | +81% |
| Amarillo | $20,000 | 360 | +42% |
| Austin | $23,000 | 1,640 | -18% |
| Beaumont | $23,000 | 620 | +58% |
| Brownsville | $18,000 | 680 | +117% |
| College Station | $18,000 | 300 | +38% |
| Corpus Christi | $18,000 | 490 | +12% |
| Dallas | $21,000 | 5,160 | -4% |
| El Paso | $22,000 | 1,460 | +115% |
| Fort Worth | $20,000 | 2,050 | -7% |
| Houston | $22,000 | 8,250 | +22% |
| Killeen | $21,000 | 420 | +36% |
| Laredo | $20,000 | 210 | +15% |
| Longview | $19,000 | 440 | +95% |
| Lubbock | $21,000 | 430 | +42% |
| Mcallen | $22,000 | 890 | +56% |
| Midland | $20,000 | 270 | +88% |
| Odessa | $21,000 | 70 | -45% |
| San Angelo | $20,000 | 120 | +33% |
| San Antonio | $21,000 | 3,430 | +54% |
| Sherman | $18,000 | 250 | +178% |
| Texarkana | $19,000 | 270 | +121% |
| Tyler | $19,000 | 310 | +46% |
| Victoria | $17,000 | 280 | +164% |
| Waco | $19,000 | 300 | +27% |
| Wichita Falls | $19,000 | 160 | +28% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $21,000 | 240 | +129% |
| Ogden | $22,000 | 540 | +10% |
| Provo | $23,000 | 710 | +70% |
| Salt Lake City | $22,000 | 1,540 | 0% |
| St George | $22,000 | 240 | +138% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $27,000 | 410 | +54% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $22,000 | 190 | +38% |
| Charlottesville | $22,000 | 170 | -16% |
| Danville | $22,000 | 80 | +9% |
| Harrisonburg | $23,000 | 120 | -5% |
| Lynchburg | $22,000 | 220 | -6% |
| Richmond | $24,000 | 820 | -47% |
| Roanoke | $22,000 | 330 | -13% |
| Virginia Beach | $26,000 | 1,730 | -10% |
| Winchester | $23,000 | 170 | +54% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $24,000 | 210 | +23% |
| Bremerton | $30,000 | 310 | +60% |
| Kennewick | $26,000 | 200 | -16% |
| Longview | $26,000 | 130 | +85% |
| Mount Vernon | $29,000 | 230 | +136% |
| Olympia | $27,000 | 300 | +28% |
| Seattle | $31,000 | 2,250 | -37% |
| Spokane | $27,000 | 610 | +21% |
| Tacoma | $31,000 | 960 | +45% |
| Wenatchee | $28,000 | 160 | +90% |
| Yakima | $27,000 | 290 | +49% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $20,000 | 780 | +121% |
| Huntington | $21,000 | 760 | +179% |
| Morgantown | $21,000 | 190 | +59% |
| Parkersburg | $21,000 | 350 | +124% |
| Wheeling | $20,000 | 410 | +176% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $24,000 | 230 | -16% |
| Eau Claire | $24,000 | 230 | +34% |
| Fond | $26,000 | 100 | +7% |
| Green Bay | $25,000 | 430 | +4% |
| Janesville | $24,000 | 300 | +108% |
| La Crosse | $25,000 | 220 | +33% |
| Madison | $25,000 | 740 | -13% |
| Milwaukee | $26,000 | 1,510 | -29% |
| Oshkosh | $25,000 | 160 | -22% |
| Racine | $25,000 | 210 | +22% |
| Sheboygan | $25,000 | 140 | +11% |
| Wausau | $22,000 | 150 | -1% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casper | $26,000 | 110 | +41% |
| Cheyenne | $24,000 | 110 | +19% |
*FOOTNOTES: Job Facts salary and numbers data is based on US Department of Labor Statistics data for 2011. Other data on page may be from earlier years. Typical salary is given as median salary, where 50% in the job make more and 50% less. Salary range is Job Hunt's estimates of typical starting salary as being at the 10th percentile of reported pay and typical top end salary, for the most senior workers, as being at the 90th. Job openings is an estimate of new jobs every year due to growth plus those leaving the field. Where NA is given data is not available. Suggested studies is based on Job Hunt research, suggesting a minimum degree level that is judged to offer the best opportunities for entry-level employment. This Institution and Cafeteria Cooks schools and career page was originally researched by CityTownInfo.com.