Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Lewiston-Auburn, ME
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro area earn a median of $43,730 a year ($21.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,660 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 1% higher than the Maine statewide median of $43,490. There are 3.1 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,080, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Lewiston-Auburn, ME
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,280 | $17.44 |
| 25th percentile | $36,760 | $17.68 |
| Median | $43,730 | $21.03 |
| 75th percentile | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,660 | $23.39 |
| Average (mean) | $43,080 | $20.71 |
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 | $3,644.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,822.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,681.92 |
| Weekly | $840.96 |
| Hourly | $21.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,730 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maine 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $47,000 | 600 |
| Bangor, ME | $42,700 | 280 |
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 Maine statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lewiston-Auburn, ME
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $35,470 | $17.05 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,720 | $16.69 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,130 | $20.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| Bartender | $45,040 | $21.66 |
| Dishwasher | $34,920 | $16.79 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,140 | $18.34 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $56,440 | $27.13 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lewiston-Auburn, ME
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 Lewiston-Auburn, ME?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro area is $43,730 a year, or $21.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Lewiston-Auburn, ME?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro area earn at least $48,660 a year. The top 25% earn $47,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Lewiston-Auburn, ME?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,280 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $36,760 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Lewiston-Auburn, ME?
About 150 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro area, not counting the self-employed.