Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Minnesota
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Minnesota earn a median of $43,460 a year ($20.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,140 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $37,450. Minnesota ranks 16th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 2.7 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,050, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| 25th percentile | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Median | $43,460 | $20.90 |
| 75th percentile | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| Average (mean) | $43,050 | $20.70 |
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 | $3,621.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,810.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,671.54 |
| Weekly | $835.77 |
| Hourly | $20.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Minnesota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in cities in Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $44,830 | 4,490 |
| Rochester, MN | $43,160 | 330 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $41,120 | 450 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $40,590 | 300 |
| Mankato, MN | $40,410 | 150 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $40,300 | 530 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $39,050 | 310 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $38,500 | 200 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $37,240 | 630 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,590 | $18.55 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,850 | $16.76 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,120 | $16.41 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Cooks, All Other | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,370 | $15.08 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $25,470 | $12.25 |
| Bartender | $26,900 | $12.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,270 | $21.77 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| Dishwasher | $34,060 | $16.38 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,210 | $14.04 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,200 | $14.52 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,600 | $30.10 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Minnesota is $43,460 a year, or $20.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Minnesota earn at least $52,140 a year. The top 25% earn $46,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,520 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $37,840 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Minnesota?
About 7,890 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.