Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Massachusetts
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Massachusetts earn a median of $47,790 a year ($22.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,090 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $37,450. Massachusetts ranks 3rd of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.0 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $48,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| 25th percentile | $45,080 | $21.67 |
| Median | $47,790 | $22.98 |
| 75th percentile | $51,650 | $24.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| Average (mean) | $48,750 | $23.44 |
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 | $3,982.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,991.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,838.08 |
| Weekly | $919.04 |
| Hourly | $22.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,790 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $49,720 | 170 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $48,530 | 5,310 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $47,740 | 170 |
| Worcester, MA | $46,780 | 690 |
| Springfield, MA | $46,440 | 450 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $46,350 | 1,630 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $41,470 | 520 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Cooks, All Other | $69,570 | $33.45 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| Bartender | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Dishwasher | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,540 | $33.43 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,750 | $17.67 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Massachusetts is $47,790 a year, or $22.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Massachusetts earn at least $58,090 a year. The top 25% earn $51,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,250 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $45,080 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Massachusetts?
About 7,430 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.