Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Michigan
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Michigan earn a median of $36,870 a year ($17.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,540 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $37,450. Michigan ranks 28th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 3.1 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,800 | $14.33 |
| 25th percentile | $33,360 | $16.04 |
| Median | $36,870 | $17.72 |
| 75th percentile | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,540 | $21.90 |
| Average (mean) | $37,370 | $17.97 |
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 | $3,072.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,536.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,418.08 |
| Weekly | $709.04 |
| Hourly | $17.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,870 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 cities in Michigan
| 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 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $35,970 | 710 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,180 | $14.99 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,460 | $14.17 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Cooks, All Other | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,760 | $18.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| Bartender | $36,780 | $17.68 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,390 | $14.61 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,950 | $13.92 |
| Dishwasher | $31,300 | $15.05 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,260 | $16.47 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,070 | $28.88 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Michigan is $36,870 a year, or $17.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Michigan?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Michigan earn at least $45,540 a year. The top 25% earn $39,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,800 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $33,360 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Michigan?
About 13,500 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.