Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Washington
Thinking about a career as a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Washington? Here’s what you need to know. Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
What do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Make in Washington?
The cooks, institution and cafeteria working in Washington, the median annual wage is $48,260 per year (or roughly $23.20/hour).Earnings range from $39,400 at the 10th percentile to $61,510 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,400 | $18.94 |
| 25th percentile | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| Median (50th) | $48,260 | $23.20 |
| 75th percentile | $56,240 | $27.04 |
| 90th percentile | $61,510 | $29.57 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Washington compared to the national average — is 0.99.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, cooks, institution and cafeteria earn a median of $30,453 per year ($14.64/hour), higher than the Washington median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 395,074 cooks, institution and cafeteria across the United States. In Washington alone, about 10,210 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 7,290 cooks, institution and cafeteria.
Top Washington Metros for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
These are the Washington metros with the most cooks, institution and cafeteria in Washington.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 5,740 | $50,290 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 840 | $43,850 |
| Yakima, WA | 420 | $45,880 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 360 | $45,260 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 270 | $47,700 |
| Bellingham, WA | 250 | $48,050 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 250 | $48,000 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 180 | $49,850 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | 170 | $44,020 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | 130 | $44,240 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 90 | $45,940 |
Top States for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Employment
These states have the highest employment of cooks, institution and cafeteria work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 35,110 |
| California | 27,320 |
| Florida | 24,100 |
| Pennsylvania | 23,520 |
| Ohio | 23,180 |
| Illinois | 22,850 |
| New York | 16,980 |
| Michigan | 13,650 |
| Missouri | 13,310 |
| North Carolina | 11,970 |
| Tennessee | 11,890 |
| Indiana | 11,690 |
| Oklahoma | 11,660 |
| Kentucky | 11,650 |
| Virginia | 11,070 |
| Washington | 10,210 |
| Wisconsin | 9,680 |
| Colorado | 9,520 |
| Iowa | 9,460 |
| Alabama | 8,970 |
Highest-Paying States for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Where cooks, institution and cafeteria earn the most: cooks, institution and cafeteria.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $48,260 |
| Hawaii | $47,250 |
| Alaska | $46,900 |
| Massachusetts | $46,280 |
| Connecticut | $45,870 |
| California | $45,680 |
| District of Columbia | $45,600 |
| Rhode Island | $45,450 |
| New Hampshire | $45,280 |
| New York | $45,160 |
Skills
Top cooks, institution and cafeteria skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for cooks, institution and cafeteria, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Monitor and record food temperatures to ensure food safety.
- Cook foodstuffs according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or numbers of portions to be served.
- Rotate and store food supplies.
- Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment.
- Apportion and serve food to facility residents, employees, or patrons.
- Clean and inspect galley equipment, kitchen appliances, and work areas to ensure cleanliness and functional operation.
- Clean, cut, and cook meat, fish, or poultry.
- Direct activities of one or more workers who assist in preparing and serving meals.
- Train new employees.
- Take inventory of supplies and equipment.
- Requisition food supplies, kitchen equipment, and appliances, based on estimates of future needs.
- Bake breads, rolls, or other pastries.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Processing Information
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Culinary Arts
- Food, Nutrition & Related Services
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to cooks, institution and cafeteria include:
- Food Service Managers
- Dietetic Technicians
- Chefs and Head Cooks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
- Cooks, Fast Food
- Cooks, Private Household
Also Known As
Boarding House Cook, Cafeteria Cook, Camp Cook, Cook, Culinary Specialist, Dietary Aide, Dietary Cook, Dinner Cook, Food Service Specialist, Food Service Worker, Galley Cook, Institutional Cook, Kitchen Cook, Line Cook, Mess Cook.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 35-2012.00