Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn a median of $35,320 a year ($16.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,080 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,990 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 3% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $36,540. 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 $35,220, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,910 | $13.42 |
| 25th percentile | $30,350 | $14.59 |
| Median | $35,320 | $16.98 |
| 75th percentile | $38,470 | $18.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,990 | $21.15 |
| Average (mean) | $35,220 | $16.93 |
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 | $2,943.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,471.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,358.46 |
| Weekly | $679.23 |
| Hourly | $16.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,320 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $38,870 | 9,810 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $38,570 | 1,750 |
| State College, PA | $37,100 | 260 |
| Lancaster, PA | $37,040 | 1,020 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $36,880 | 1,190 |
| Reading, PA | $36,590 | 810 |
| Lebanon, PA | $36,230 | 290 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $36,100 | 4,890 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $36,030 | 900 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $35,770 | 170 |
| Williamsport, PA | $35,720 | 170 |
| Erie, PA | $35,620 | 500 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $34,910 | 220 |
| Altoona, PA | $34,610 | 290 |
| Johnstown, PA | $30,450 | 280 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,870 | $16.76 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,210 | $14.05 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,840 | $13.39 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,290 | $13.60 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,520 | $13.23 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,770 | $14.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| Bartender | $28,010 | $13.47 |
| Dishwasher | $28,100 | $13.51 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,720 | $13.33 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,600 | $14.71 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,750 | $29.21 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area is $35,320 a year, or $16.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn at least $43,990 a year. The top 25% earn $38,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,910 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $30,350 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
About 1,080 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.