SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — Eastern Washington
Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Eastern Washington, WA is $46,690 per year, 24.7% above 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 Eastern Washington, WA is $46,690 per year, 24.7% above the national median of $37,450. Half of workers earn between $41,160 and $50,790. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $38,560 and the ninetieth at $56,390.
The area has 480 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 4.4 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Mount Vernon records the highest median at $51,620. Of the 358 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 287th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,560 | +3.0% |
| 25th | $41,160 | +9.9% |
| Median (50th) | $46,690 | +24.7% |
| 75th | $50,790 | +35.6% |
| 90th | $56,390 | +50.6% |
| Mean | $46,960 | +25.4% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Vernon | $51,620 | 240 | |
| 2 | Seattle | $51,530 | 5,380 | |
| 3 | Bellingham | $49,320 | 250 | |
| 4 | Bremerton | $49,280 | 240 | |
| 5 | Olympia | $48,820 | 290 | |
| 6 | Kennewick | $46,820 | 310 | |
| 7 | Yakima | $46,730 | 430 | |
| 8 | Wenatchee | $46,690 | 140 | |
| 9 | Walla Walla | $46,170 | 90 | |
| 10 | Longview | $45,640 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Eastern Washington run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $46,690 buys what $43,636 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 16.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,690as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$43,636US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,690 a year, 24.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,560 to $56,390 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 480 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Mount Vernon, at $51,620.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Eastern Washington, WA?
The median annual wage is $46,690, or $22.45 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 Eastern Washington, WA is 24.7% higher. 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 Eastern Washington, WA earns more than $56,390 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,560 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 Mount Vernon, at $51,620 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 480 jobs in this occupation in Eastern Washington, WA. 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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