Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn a median of $44,110 a year ($21.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,990 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 4% lower than the Connecticut statewide median of $46,120. There are 2.8 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,490, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| 25th percentile | $38,450 | $18.49 |
| Median | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| 75th percentile | $47,020 | $22.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,990 | $23.55 |
| Average (mean) | $43,490 | $20.91 |
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 | $3,675.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,837.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,696.54 |
| Weekly | $848.27 |
| Hourly | $21.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in Connecticut 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $47,380 | 1,100 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $46,650 | 1,460 |
| New Haven, CT | $46,000 | 790 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $44,510 | 400 |
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 Connecticut statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,180 | $16.44 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,780 | $21.53 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,850 | $16.76 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $51,220 | $24.63 |
| Bartender | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Dishwasher | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,780 | $16.72 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,080 | $28.41 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $38,140 | $18.34 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
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 Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area is $44,110 a year, or $21.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn at least $48,990 a year. The top 25% earn $47,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,550 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $38,450 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
About 440 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area, not counting the self-employed.