SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — Central Pennsylvania
Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Central Pennsylvania, PA is $32,440 per year, 13.4% below the national median of $37,450.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Central Pennsylvania, PA is $32,440 per year, 13.4% below the national median of $37,450. Half of workers earn between $28,390 and $36,930. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $26,810 and the ninetieth at $42,830.
Employment stands at 970, or 5.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Philadelphia records the highest median at $38,870. Of the 403 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 374th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,810 | −28.4% |
| 25th | $28,390 | −24.2% |
| Median (50th) | $32,440 | −13.4% |
| 75th | $36,930 | −1.4% |
| 90th | $42,830 | +14.4% |
| Mean | $33,040 | −11.8% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $38,870 | 9,810 | |
| 2 | Allentown | $38,570 | 1,750 | |
| 3 | State College | $37,100 | 260 | |
| 4 | Lancaster | $37,040 | 1,020 | |
| 5 | Harrisburg | $36,880 | 1,190 | |
| 6 | Reading | $36,590 | 810 | |
| 7 | Lebanon | $36,230 | 290 | |
| 8 | Pittsburgh | $36,100 | 4,890 | |
| 9 | York | $36,030 | 900 | |
| 10 | Gettysburg | $35,770 | 170 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Central Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $32,440 goes as far as $33,238 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 11.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$32,440as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$33,238US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $32,440 a year, 13.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $26,810 to $42,830 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 970 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $38,870.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Central Pennsylvania, PA?
The median annual wage is $32,440, or $15.59 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $37,450, so pay in Central Pennsylvania, PA is 13.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Central Pennsylvania, PA earns more than $42,830 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $26,810 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Philadelphia, at $38,870 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 970 jobs in this occupation in Central Pennsylvania, PA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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