SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — North Region of Texas
North Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Region of Texas, TX is $29,260 per year, 21.9% 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 North Region of Texas, TX is $29,260 per year, 21.9% below the national median of $37,450. Pay ranges from under $23,130 at the tenth percentile to more than $40,240 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $27,170 to $35,520.
The area has 700 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.5 of every thousand jobs. Dallas leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $37,370. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 417th of 449 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,130 | −38.2% |
| 25th | $27,170 | −27.4% |
| Median (50th) | $29,260 | −21.9% |
| 75th | $35,520 | −5.2% |
| 90th | $40,240 | +7.4% |
| Mean | $31,260 | −16.5% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas | $37,370 | 6,620 | |
| 2 | College Station | $36,890 | 460 | |
| 3 | Austin | $36,670 | 2,210 | |
| 4 | Midland | $36,470 | 130 | |
| 5 | Houston | $35,660 | 4,890 | |
| 6 | San Antonio | $35,250 | 2,290 | |
| 7 | Killeen | $34,930 | 300 | |
| 8 | Sherman | $34,480 | 130 | |
| 9 | Waco | $34,410 | 280 | |
| 10 | Odessa | $34,330 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Region of Texas run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $29,260 goes as far as $30,134 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 19.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,260as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,134US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,260 a year, 21.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,130 to $40,240 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 700 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Dallas, at $37,370.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Region of Texas, TX?
The median annual wage is $29,260, or $14.07 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 North Region of Texas, TX is 21.9% 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 North Region of Texas, TX earns more than $40,240 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,130 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 Dallas, at $37,370 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 700 jobs in this occupation in North Region of Texas, TX. 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.
Explore related data