Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Wisconsin
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Wisconsin earn a median of $38,650 a year ($18.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,380 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $37,450. Wisconsin ranks 22nd of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 3.4 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,110 | $15.44 |
| 25th percentile | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| Median | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| 75th percentile | $44,300 | $21.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Average (mean) | $39,860 | $19.16 |
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 | $3,220.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,610.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,486.54 |
| Weekly | $743.27 |
| Hourly | $18.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,650 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in cities in Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $44,830 | 4,490 |
| Madison, WI | $42,960 | 1,030 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $40,300 | 530 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $39,050 | 310 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $38,980 | 2,710 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $38,880 | 250 |
| Green Bay, WI | $38,640 | 480 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $38,530 | 240 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $38,440 | 210 |
| Wausau, WI | $38,170 | 160 |
| Kenosha, WI | $38,150 | 240 |
| Appleton, WI | $38,110 | 340 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $37,990 | 330 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $37,470 | 210 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $37,200 | 170 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,070 | $16.38 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,920 | $13.90 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| Cooks, All Other | $33,760 | $16.23 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,670 | $14.26 |
| Bartender | $23,460 | $11.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,670 | $19.07 |
| Dishwasher | $29,070 | $13.98 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,080 | $13.02 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,670 | $16.67 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,060 | $13.49 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,300 | $29.47 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Wisconsin is $38,650 a year, or $18.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Wisconsin earn at least $47,380 a year. The top 25% earn $44,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,110 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $36,040 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Wisconsin?
About 9,890 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.