SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — New Jersey
New Jersey · 3 metro areas compared
In New Jersey the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria is $44,520 a year, which is 18.9% higher than the national figure of $37,450.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In New Jersey the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria is $44,520 a year, which is 18.9% higher than the national figure of $37,450. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $37,590 and $48,090. The lowest tenth earn under $35,500, while the highest tenth earn more than $53,060.
The area has 7,490 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.62 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. New Jersey ranks number 12th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Vineland records the highest median at $45,510. Of the 736 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 609th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,500 | −5.2% |
| 25th | $37,590 | +0.4% |
| Median (50th) | $44,520 | +18.9% |
| 75th | $48,090 | +28.4% |
| 90th | $53,060 | +41.7% |
| Mean | $44,110 | +17.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in New Jersey
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vineland | $45,510 | 110 | |
| 2 | Trenton | $42,960 | 460 | |
| 3 | Atlantic City | $40,240 | 320 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in New Jersey run 8.8% above the national average, so the median of $44,520 buys what $40,919 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 9.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$44,520as reported by BLSLocal price level
108.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,919US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,520 a year, 18.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,500 to $53,060 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 7,490 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 12th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Vineland, at $45,510.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in New Jersey?
The median annual wage is $44,520, or $21.40 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 New Jersey is 18.9% 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 New Jersey earns more than $53,060 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,500 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 Vineland, at $45,510 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 7,490 jobs in this occupation in New Jersey. 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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