Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in West Virginia
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in West Virginia earn a median of $29,740 a year ($14.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,470 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $37,450. West Virginia ranks 47th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 6.3 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $31,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,820 | $11.45 |
| 25th percentile | $27,740 | $13.34 |
| Median | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| 75th percentile | $35,680 | $17.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,470 | $18.50 |
| Average (mean) | $31,470 | $15.13 |
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 | $2,478.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,239.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,143.85 |
| Weekly | $571.92 |
| Hourly | $14.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,740 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $44,880 | 5,670 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $35,350 | 230 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $34,570 | 370 |
| Morgantown, WV | $31,770 | 340 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $30,850 | 240 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $30,600 | 330 |
| Charleston, WV | $30,050 | 660 |
| Beckley, WV | $29,630 | 240 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $29,630 | 920 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $29,000 | 180 |
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 |
Related jobs in West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,120 | $11.12 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,590 | $14.23 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,360 | $13.63 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $27,440 | $13.19 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $33,070 | $15.90 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,070 | $12.54 |
| Bartender | $29,630 | $14.24 |
| Dishwasher | $26,460 | $12.72 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,420 | $11.74 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,150 | $13.05 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,170 | $14.51 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,100 | $29.38 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $21,640 | $10.40 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in West Virginia is $29,740 a year, or $14.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in West Virginia earn at least $38,470 a year. The top 25% earn $35,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,820 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $27,740 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in West Virginia?
About 4,420 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.