Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Hawaii
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Hawaii earn a median of $47,770 a year ($22.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,570 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,020 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $37,450. Hawaii ranks 4th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.5 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Hawaii
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,250 | $18.39 |
| 25th percentile | $41,180 | $19.80 |
| Median | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| 75th percentile | $59,200 | $28.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,020 | $31.26 |
| Average (mean) | $52,100 | $25.05 |
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 | $3,980.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,990.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,837.31 |
| Weekly | $918.65 |
| Hourly | $22.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in Hawaii at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in cities in Hawaii
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $55,400 | 250 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $46,780 | 1,080 |
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 Hawaii
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,420 | $21.84 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $43,110 | $20.73 |
| Cooks, All Other | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $48,120 | $23.14 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,250 | $16.95 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $62,390 | $29.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Dishwasher | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $51,200 | $24.62 |
| Bartender | $76,490 | $36.78 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $47,070 | $22.63 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $77,360 | $37.19 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,920 | $18.23 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Hawaii
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 Hawaii?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Hawaii is $47,770 a year, or $22.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Hawaii?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Hawaii earn at least $65,020 a year. The top 25% earn $59,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Hawaii?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,250 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $41,180 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Hawaii?
About 1,570 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Hawaii, not counting the self-employed.