What is an Institution & Cafeteria Cook?

Occupation Description Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.

A Day in the Life of an Institution & Cafeteria Cook

• Requisition food supplies, kitchen equipment, and appliances, based on estimates of future needs.
• Direct activities of one or more workers who assist in preparing and serving meals.
• Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment.
• Take inventory of supplies and equipment.
• Compile and maintain records of food use and expenditures.
• Clean and inspect galley equipment, kitchen appliances, and work areas to ensure cleanliness and functional operation.

Skills Needed to be an Institution & Cafeteria Cook

Below is a list of the skills most Institution and Cafeteria Cooks say are important on the job.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Other Institution & Cafeteria Cook Job Titles

• Institutional Cook
• PM Head Cook
• Ship’s Cook
• Ranch Cook
• Cook at School

Is There Job Demand for Institution and Cafeteria Cooks?

In the United States, there were 424,800 jobs for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in 2016.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.7% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 32,600 new jobs for Institution and Cafeteria Cooks by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 64,400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria are Texas, California, and Florida.

Watch out if you plan on working in Alabama, Wyoming, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Institution & Cafeteria Cook Average Salary

The typical yearly salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria is somewhere between $18,840 and $39,880. An Institution and Cafeteria Cook median salary is $26,860.

How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in different U.S. states?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Connecticut	$38,580
Hawaii	$38,110
Alaska	$37,670
Massachusetts	$37,300
District of Columbia	$37,270
Rhode Island	$36,060
California	$35,680
New York	$34,800
Washington	$34,230
New Jersey	$34,050
New Hampshire	$33,100
Maryland	$33,010
Minnesota	$32,810
Nevada	$32,780
Delaware	$32,620
Oregon	$31,920
Vermont	$31,380
North Dakota	$31,370
Maine	$30,910
Wyoming	$30,580
Colorado	$29,630
Virginia	$29,400
Pennsylvania	$29,180
Wisconsin	$28,960
Michigan	$28,410
Arizona	$28,120
Utah	$27,870
Illinois	$27,550
Florida	$27,280
Ohio	$27,260
Iowa	$27,110
Montana	$27,060
Nebraska	$26,950
South Dakota	$26,230
Georgia	$26,160
Kentucky	$25,630
Tennessee	$25,580
North Carolina	$25,240
Indiana	$25,200
New Mexico	$25,020
Idaho	$24,960
Missouri	$24,900
Texas	$24,770
West Virginia	$24,200
Kansas	$24,190
South Carolina	$22,960
Arkansas	$22,320
Alabama	$22,100
Louisiana	$21,990
Oklahoma	$21,650
Mississippi	$20,460

Tools & Technologies Used by Institution and Cafeteria Cooks

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Institution and Cafeteria Cooks:

• Microsoft Excel
• Data entry software
• Microsoft Word

How do I Become an Institution & Cafeteria Cook?

What education is needed to be an Institution and Cafeteria Cook?

What work experience do I need to become an Institution & Cafeteria Cook?

Where do Institution and Cafeteria Cooks Work?

Related Careers

Those thinking about becoming Institution and Cafeteria Cooks might also be interested in the following careers:

• Cooks, Private Household
• Retail Salespersons

Are you already one of the many Institution and Cafeteria Cooks in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

• Cooks, Fast Food

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons