Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $40,120 a year ($19.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,700 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,570 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 1% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $39,660. There are 2.0 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $42,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| 25th percentile | $38,080 | $18.31 |
| Median | $40,120 | $19.29 |
| 75th percentile | $46,810 | $22.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Average (mean) | $42,250 | $20.31 |
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 | $3,343.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,671.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,543.08 |
| Weekly | $771.54 |
| Hourly | $19.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $40,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arizona 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | $40,380 | 260 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $39,190 | 260 |
| Tucson, AZ | $37,620 | 1,030 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $37,340 | 130 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $35,790 | 80 |
| Yuma, AZ | $34,680 | 250 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,190 | $15.96 |
| Cooks, All Other | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $50,180 | $24.12 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,540 | $16.61 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| Bartender | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $35,080 | $16.87 |
| Dishwasher | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,690 | $17.16 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,400 | $29.52 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $40,120 a year, or $19.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $48,570 a year. The top 25% earn $46,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,980 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $38,080 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 4,700 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.