Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Rhode Island
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Rhode Island earn a median of $46,570 a year ($22.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,190 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,380 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $37,450. Rhode Island ranks 5th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.4 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| 25th percentile | $40,360 | $19.40 |
| Median | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| 75th percentile | $48,550 | $23.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,380 | $28.07 |
| Average (mean) | $46,620 | $22.41 |
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 | $3,880.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,940.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,791.15 |
| Weekly | $895.58 |
| Hourly | $22.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,570 salary, see how much house you can afford in Rhode Island at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $46,350 | 1,630 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,470 | $17.06 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $46,250 | $22.24 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,490 | $15.14 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| Bartender | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Dishwasher | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $79,930 | $38.43 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,400 | $15.10 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Rhode Island is $46,570 a year, or $22.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Rhode Island earn at least $58,380 a year. The top 25% earn $48,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,890 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $40,360 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Rhode Island?
About 1,190 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.