Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in North Dakota
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Dakota earn a median of $39,490 a year ($18.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,820 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,670 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $37,450. North Dakota ranks 20th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 4.2 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,300 | $15.05 |
| 25th percentile | $36,330 | $17.47 |
| Median | $39,490 | $18.99 |
| 75th percentile | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| Average (mean) | $41,140 | $19.78 |
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 | $3,290.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,645.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,518.85 |
| Weekly | $759.42 |
| Hourly | $18.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in cities in North Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $41,120 | 450 |
| Minot, ND | $38,570 | 170 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $38,500 | 200 |
| Bismarck, ND | $38,310 | 310 |
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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,220 | $14.53 |
| Cooks, All Other | $44,190 | $21.25 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,890 | $14.85 |
| Bartender | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,910 | $17.75 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,010 | $14.91 |
| Dishwasher | $29,980 | $14.41 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,660 | $13.78 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $74,740 | $35.93 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $23,410 | $11.25 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in North Dakota is $39,490 a year, or $18.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in North Dakota earn at least $48,670 a year. The top 25% earn $46,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,300 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $36,330 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in North Dakota?
About 1,820 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.