Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Wheeling, WV-OH
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area earn a median of $30,600 a year ($14.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,570 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 3% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $29,740. There are 5.7 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $32,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Wheeling, WV-OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,650 | $11.85 |
| 25th percentile | $27,810 | $13.37 |
| Median | $30,600 | $14.71 |
| 75th percentile | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Average (mean) | $32,130 | $15.45 |
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 | $2,550 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,275 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,176.92 |
| Weekly | $588.46 |
| Hourly | $14.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $30,600 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $44,880 | 5,670 |
| Columbus, OH | $38,100 | 4,020 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $37,180 | 4,310 |
| Akron, OH | $37,080 | 1,310 |
| Cleveland, OH | $36,930 | 4,080 |
| Toledo, OH | $36,760 | 1,280 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $36,680 | 1,510 |
| Mansfield, OH | $35,890 | 270 |
| Sandusky, OH | $35,880 | 270 |
| Lima, OH | $35,820 | 260 |
| Springfield, OH | $35,590 | 280 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $35,530 | 760 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $35,350 | 230 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $34,570 | 370 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $34,510 | 740 |
| Morgantown, WV | $31,770 | 340 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $30,850 | 240 |
| 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 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wheeling, WV-OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,110 | $11.11 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,710 | $14.28 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $27,590 | $13.27 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,150 | $12.57 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,740 | $14.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $34,180 | $16.43 |
| Bartender | $28,530 | $13.71 |
| Dishwasher | $26,180 | $12.59 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,080 | $12.54 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,700 | $12.84 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $26,890 | $12.93 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $54,400 | $26.16 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Wheeling, WV-OH
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 Wheeling, WV-OH?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area is $30,600 a year, or $14.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Wheeling, WV-OH?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area earn at least $38,570 a year. The top 25% earn $36,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Wheeling, WV-OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,650 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $27,810 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Wheeling, WV-OH?
About 330 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.