SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — Northeast Minnesota
Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Northeast Minnesota, MN comes to $42,030 a year, ahead of the national median of $37,450 by 12.2%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Northeast Minnesota, MN comes to $42,030 a year, ahead of the national median of $37,450 by 12.2%. Pay ranges from under $34,480 at the tenth percentile to more than $48,650 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $37,490 to $45,810.
The area has 210 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.68 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Minneapolis records the highest median at $44,830. Of the 199 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 156th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,480 | −7.9% |
| 25th | $37,490 | +0.1% |
| Median (50th) | $42,030 | +12.2% |
| 75th | $45,810 | +22.3% |
| 90th | $48,650 | +29.9% |
| Mean | $41,920 | +11.9% |
Other metro areas in Minnesota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $44,830 | 4,490 | |
| 2 | Rochester | $43,160 | 330 | |
| 3 | St. Cloud | $40,590 | 300 | |
| 4 | Mankato | $40,410 | 150 | |
| 5 | Duluth | $40,300 | 530 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northeast Minnesota sit close to the national average, so $42,030 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$42,030as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$42,627US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $42,030 a year, 12.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,480 to $48,650 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 210 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Minneapolis, at $44,830.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Northeast Minnesota, MN?
The median annual wage is $42,030, or $20.21 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 Northeast Minnesota, MN is 12.2% 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 Northeast Minnesota, MN earns more than $48,650 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,480 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 Minneapolis, at $44,830 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 210 jobs in this occupation in Northeast Minnesota, MN. 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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