Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area earn a median of $41,470 a year ($19.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,330 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 13% lower than the Massachusetts statewide median of $47,790. There are 8.0 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| 25th percentile | $41,470 | $19.94 |
| Median | $41,470 | $19.94 |
| 75th percentile | $48,560 | $23.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,330 | $24.68 |
| Average (mean) | $45,590 | $21.92 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,455.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,727.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,595 |
| Weekly | $797.50 |
| Hourly | $19.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $49,720 | 170 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $48,530 | 5,310 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $47,740 | 170 |
| Worcester, MA | $46,780 | 690 |
| Springfield, MA | $46,440 | 450 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $46,350 | 1,630 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,680 | $21.48 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $43,790 | $21.05 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,350 | $16.52 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,520 | $22.36 |
| Bartender | $35,300 | $16.97 |
| Dishwasher | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,250 | $16.47 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,450 | $31.95 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,830 | $16.74 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area is $41,470 a year, or $19.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area earn at least $51,330 a year. The top 25% earn $48,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,390 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $41,470 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
About 520 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.