Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area earn a median of $37,010 a year ($17.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,710 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 3% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $35,980. There are 3.3 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,940 | $14.40 |
| 25th percentile | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Median | $37,010 | $17.80 |
| 75th percentile | $39,940 | $19.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Average (mean) | $37,520 | $18.04 |
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 | $3,084.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,542.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,423.46 |
| Weekly | $711.73 |
| Hourly | $17.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,010 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $40,250 | 610 |
| Traverse City, MI | $38,780 | 270 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $38,580 | 260 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $38,580 | 260 |
| Jackson, MI | $38,360 | 270 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $38,290 | 14,010 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $37,800 | 1,790 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $37,370 | 2,700 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $37,360 | 4,910 |
| Bloomington, IN | $37,230 | 480 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $37,180 | 4,310 |
| Midland, MI | $36,870 | 140 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $36,510 | 410 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $36,350 | 3,410 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $36,300 | 800 |
| Kokomo, IN | $36,290 | 120 |
| Niles, MI | $36,180 | 270 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $36,170 | 320 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $36,100 | 120 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $35,970 | 710 |
| Monroe, MI | $35,800 | 160 |
| Columbus, IN | $35,490 | 110 |
| Evansville, IN | $35,180 | 520 |
| Saginaw, MI | $35,060 | 210 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $34,980 | 220 |
| Bay City, MI | $34,950 | 140 |
| Muncie, IN | $34,370 | 190 |
| Flint, MI | $33,570 | 560 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $33,300 | 240 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,970 | $14.41 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,540 | $14.20 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,140 | $13.53 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,740 | $13.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $43,740 | $21.03 |
| Bartender | $23,000 | $11.06 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,080 | $13.98 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,150 | $12.57 |
| Dishwasher | $29,090 | $13.99 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,800 | $14.33 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,180 | $27.49 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
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 South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area is $37,010 a year, or $17.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area earn at least $45,710 a year. The top 25% earn $39,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,940 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $34,950 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
About 440 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.