SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — Milwaukee
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Milwaukee, WI is $38,980 per year, close to the national median of $37,450 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Milwaukee, WI is $38,980 per year, close to the national median of $37,450 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $35,620 and $44,790. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $34,430 and the ninetieth at $48,240.
Employment stands at 2,710, or 3.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Madison records the highest median at $42,960. Of the 593 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 528th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,430 | −8.1% |
| 25th | $35,620 | −4.9% |
| Median (50th) | $38,980 | +4.1% |
| 75th | $44,790 | +19.6% |
| 90th | $48,240 | +28.8% |
| Mean | $40,430 | +8.0% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison | $42,960 | 1,030 | |
| 2 | La Crosse | $39,050 | 310 | |
| 3 | Racine | $38,880 | 250 | |
| 4 | Green Bay | $38,640 | 480 | |
| 5 | Oshkosh | $38,530 | 240 | |
| 6 | Janesville | $38,440 | 210 | |
| 7 | Wausau | $38,170 | 160 | |
| 8 | Kenosha | $38,150 | 240 | |
| 9 | Appleton | $38,110 | 340 | |
| 10 | Eau Claire | $37,990 | 330 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Milwaukee run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $38,980 goes as far as $41,424 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,980as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$41,424US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,980 a year, 4.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,430 to $48,240 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,710 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Madison, at $42,960.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Milwaukee, WI?
The median annual wage is $38,980, or $18.74 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 Milwaukee, WI is 4.1% 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 Milwaukee, WI earns more than $48,240 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,430 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 Madison, at $42,960 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,710 jobs in this occupation in Milwaukee, WI. 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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