Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn a median of $38,580 a year ($18.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,490 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 7% 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 $38,450, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,040 | $14.44 |
| 25th percentile | $34,920 | $16.79 |
| Median | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| 75th percentile | $43,310 | $20.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,490 | $22.35 |
| Average (mean) | $38,450 | $18.48 |
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 | $3,215 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,607.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,483.85 |
| Weekly | $741.92 |
| Hourly | $18.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,580 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $36,170 | 320 |
| 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 Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,870 | $16.76 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,540 | $14.20 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,230 | $13.57 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,420 | $13.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,750 | $21.52 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,820 | $16.74 |
| Bartender | $22,680 | $10.90 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,170 | $12.58 |
| Dishwasher | $28,690 | $13.79 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,990 | $14.42 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $40,300 | $19.37 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette-West Lafayette, 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 Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area is $38,580 a year, or $18.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn at least $46,490 a year. The top 25% earn $43,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,040 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $34,920 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
About 260 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.