Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn a median of $35,970 a year ($17.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 710 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,580 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 2% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $36,870. There are 3.3 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,240 | $14.06 |
| 25th percentile | $30,870 | $14.84 |
| Median | $35,970 | $17.30 |
| 75th percentile | $41,020 | $19.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,580 | $23.36 |
| Average (mean) | $36,920 | $17.75 |
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 | $2,997.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,498.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,383.46 |
| Weekly | $691.73 |
| Hourly | $17.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $40,250 | 610 |
| Traverse City, MI | $38,780 | 270 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $38,580 | 260 |
| Jackson, MI | $38,360 | 270 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $37,800 | 1,790 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $37,360 | 4,910 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $37,010 | 440 |
| Midland, MI | $36,870 | 140 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $36,510 | 410 |
| Niles, MI | $36,180 | 270 |
| Monroe, MI | $35,800 | 160 |
| Saginaw, MI | $35,060 | 210 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $34,980 | 220 |
| Bay City, MI | $34,950 | 140 |
| Flint, MI | $33,570 | 560 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,340 | $14.11 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,400 | $13.66 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,640 | $13.77 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| Bartender | $40,230 | $19.34 |
| Dishwasher | $33,130 | $15.93 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,340 | $13.15 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,470 | $14.65 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,700 | $16.68 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $37,040 | $17.81 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area is $35,970 a year, or $17.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn at least $48,580 a year. The top 25% earn $41,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,240 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $30,870 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
About 710 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.