Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $51,530 a year ($24.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,510 for the top 10%. That is 38% higher than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 4% higher than the Washington statewide median of $49,670. There are 2.6 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,250 | $21.75 |
| 25th percentile | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| Median | $51,530 | $24.77 |
| 75th percentile | $60,420 | $29.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,510 | $30.54 |
| Average (mean) | $53,820 | $25.87 |
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 | $4,294.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,147.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,981.92 |
| Weekly | $990.96 |
| Hourly | $24.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,530 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $51,620 | 240 |
| Bellingham, WA | $49,320 | 250 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $49,280 | 240 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $48,820 | 290 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $46,820 | 310 |
| Yakima, WA | $46,730 | 430 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $46,690 | 140 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $46,170 | 90 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $45,800 | 3,920 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $45,640 | 120 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $45,330 | 750 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $37,500 | 140 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $43,830 | $21.07 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $50,870 | $24.46 |
| Cooks, All Other | $53,910 | $25.92 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $57,280 | $27.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Bartender | $58,180 | $27.97 |
| Dishwasher | $42,750 | $20.55 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $40,640 | $19.54 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $45,120 | $21.69 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $51,530 a year, or $24.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $63,510 a year. The top 25% earn $60,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,250 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $47,590 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 5,380 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.