Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Fargo, ND-MN
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median of $41,120 a year ($19.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,930 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 4% higher than the North Dakota statewide median of $39,490. There are 3.0 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Fargo, ND-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,350 | $16.99 |
| 25th percentile | $37,780 | $18.16 |
| Median | $41,120 | $19.77 |
| 75th percentile | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,930 | $24.01 |
| Average (mean) | $42,420 | $20.40 |
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 | $3,426.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,713.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,581.54 |
| Weekly | $790.77 |
| Hourly | $19.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Dakota 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $44,830 | 4,490 |
| Rochester, MN | $43,160 | 330 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $40,590 | 300 |
| Mankato, MN | $40,410 | 150 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $40,300 | 530 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $39,050 | 310 |
| Minot, ND | $38,570 | 170 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $38,500 | 200 |
| Bismarck, ND | $38,310 | 310 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $37,240 | 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 North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fargo, ND-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,020 | $17.80 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,710 | $14.29 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,950 | $14.88 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,330 | $14.58 |
| Bartender | $28,390 | $13.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,480 | $21.38 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,720 | $17.65 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,290 | $14.56 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,070 | $13.98 |
| Dishwasher | $31,560 | $15.17 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $54,390 | $26.15 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Fargo, ND-MN
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 Fargo, ND-MN?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $41,120 a year, or $19.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Fargo, ND-MN?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn at least $49,930 a year. The top 25% earn $47,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Fargo, ND-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,350 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $37,780 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Fargo, ND-MN?
About 450 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.