Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Arizona
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Arizona earn a median of $39,660 a year ($19.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,370 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $37,450. Arizona ranks 19th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 2.2 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $41,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| 25th percentile | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Median | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| 75th percentile | $45,950 | $22.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,370 | $23.25 |
| Average (mean) | $41,350 | $19.88 |
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 | $3,305 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,652.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,525.38 |
| Weekly | $762.69 |
| Hourly | $19.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,660 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arizona at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in cities in Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | $40,380 | 260 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $40,120 | 4,700 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $39,190 | 260 |
| Tucson, AZ | $37,620 | 1,030 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $37,340 | 130 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $35,790 | 80 |
| Yuma, AZ | $34,680 | 250 |
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 |
Related jobs in Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $32,660 | $15.70 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| Cooks, All Other | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,950 | $21.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,550 | $19.49 |
| Bartender | $45,070 | $21.67 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| Dishwasher | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,390 | $17.01 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,890 | $28.79 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
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 Arizona?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Arizona is $39,660 a year, or $19.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Arizona?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Arizona earn at least $48,370 a year. The top 25% earn $45,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,490 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $36,730 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Arizona?
About 7,170 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.