Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Elkhart-Goshen, IN
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Elkhart-Goshen, IN metro area earn a median of $36,170 a year ($17.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,160 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 1% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $35,980. There are 2.5 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Elkhart-Goshen, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,130 | $14.49 |
| 25th percentile | $33,460 | $16.09 |
| Median | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| 75th percentile | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,160 | $21.71 |
| Average (mean) | $36,210 | $17.41 |
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 | $3,014.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,507.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,391.15 |
| Weekly | $695.58 |
| Hourly | $17.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $38,580 | 260 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $38,290 | 14,010 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $37,370 | 2,700 |
| Bloomington, IN | $37,230 | 480 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $37,180 | 4,310 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $37,010 | 440 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $36,350 | 3,410 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $36,300 | 800 |
| Kokomo, IN | $36,290 | 120 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $36,100 | 120 |
| Columbus, IN | $35,490 | 110 |
| Evansville, IN | $35,180 | 520 |
| Muncie, IN | $34,370 | 190 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $33,300 | 240 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Elkhart-Goshen, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,640 | $16.17 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $33,770 | $16.23 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,430 | $13.67 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,300 | $13.60 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,060 | $13.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,470 | $21.86 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,450 | $13.68 |
| Bartender | $23,120 | $11.12 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,160 | $12.58 |
| Dishwasher | $29,900 | $14.38 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,630 | $16.65 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Elkhart-Goshen, IN
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 Elkhart-Goshen, IN?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Elkhart-Goshen, IN metro area is $36,170 a year, or $17.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Elkhart-Goshen, IN?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Elkhart-Goshen, IN metro area earn at least $45,160 a year. The top 25% earn $37,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Elkhart-Goshen, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,130 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $33,460 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Elkhart-Goshen, IN?
About 320 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Elkhart-Goshen, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.