Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Valdosta, GA
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Valdosta, GA metro area earn a median of $29,710 a year ($14.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,310 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 15% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $35,090. There are 1.6 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $30,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Valdosta, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,900 | $11.49 |
| 25th percentile | $27,730 | $13.33 |
| Median | $29,710 | $14.28 |
| 75th percentile | $34,080 | $16.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| Average (mean) | $30,740 | $14.78 |
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 | $2,475.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,237.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,142.69 |
| Weekly | $571.35 |
| Hourly | $14.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,710 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gainesville, GA | $38,220 | 170 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $37,080 | 4,170 |
| Savannah, GA | $35,480 | 280 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $34,970 | 430 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $33,960 | 130 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $33,530 | 100 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $33,410 | 940 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $31,940 | 350 |
| Rome, GA | $31,150 | 90 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $31,090 | 260 |
| Albany, GA | $30,430 | 140 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $30,050 | 80 |
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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Valdosta, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,880 | $14.36 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,020 | $13.95 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,640 | $11.36 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,100 | $11.11 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $18,510 | $8.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $23,360 | $11.23 |
| Bartender | $25,920 | $12.46 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $24,260 | $11.66 |
| Dishwasher | $27,540 | $13.24 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,810 | $13.37 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $26,440 | $12.71 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Valdosta, GA
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 Valdosta, GA?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Valdosta, GA metro area is $29,710 a year, or $14.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Valdosta, GA?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Valdosta, GA metro area earn at least $38,310 a year. The top 25% earn $34,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Valdosta, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,900 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $27,730 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Valdosta, GA?
About 90 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Valdosta, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.