SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — Palm Bay
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL · 10 metro areas compared
At $36,510, median pay for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Palm Bay, FL tracks the national median of $37,450 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $36,510, median pay for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Palm Bay, FL tracks the national median of $37,450 closely. Pay ranges from under $30,720 at the tenth percentile to more than $44,890 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $32,300 to $38,480.
The area has 420 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.61 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Naples records the highest median at $43,890. Of the 414 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 364th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,720 | −18.0% |
| 25th | $32,300 | −13.8% |
| Median (50th) | $36,510 | −2.5% |
| 75th | $38,480 | +2.8% |
| 90th | $44,890 | +19.9% |
| Mean | $36,840 | −1.6% |
Other metro areas in Florida
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naples | $43,890 | 440 | |
| 2 | Sebastian | $38,730 | 160 | |
| 3 | North Port | $37,620 | 1,030 | |
| 4 | Sebring | $37,380 | 130 | |
| 5 | Punta Gorda | $37,200 | 140 | |
| 6 | Crestview | $37,190 | 180 | |
| 7 | Port St. Lucie | $37,070 | 370 | |
| 8 | Orlando | $36,970 | 3,780 | |
| 9 | Homosassa Springs | $36,710 | 190 | |
| 10 | Jacksonville | $36,490 | 1,770 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Palm Bay run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $36,510 buys what $35,309 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 5.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,510as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,309US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,510 a year, 2.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,720 to $44,890 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 420 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Naples, at $43,890.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Palm Bay, FL?
The median annual wage is $36,510, or $17.55 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 Palm Bay, FL is 2.5% 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 Palm Bay, FL earns more than $44,890 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,720 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 Naples, at $43,890 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 420 jobs in this occupation in Palm Bay, FL. 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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