SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — Southwest New York
Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Southwest New York, NY is $39,900 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 Southwest New York, NY is $39,900 per year, close to the national median of $37,450 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $36,400 and $45,760. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $35,130 and the ninetieth at $52,260.
Employment stands at 570, or 3.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Ithaca records the highest median at $46,870. Of the 429 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 357th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,130 | −6.2% |
| 25th | $36,400 | −2.8% |
| Median (50th) | $39,900 | +6.5% |
| 75th | $45,760 | +22.2% |
| 90th | $52,260 | +39.5% |
| Mean | $42,380 | +13.2% |
Other metro areas in New York
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ithaca | $46,870 | 190 | |
| 2 | New York | $46,870 | 15,270 | |
| 3 | Kiryas Joel | $45,740 | 650 | |
| 4 | Kingston | $44,650 | 190 | |
| 5 | Albany | $43,550 | 920 | |
| 6 | Buffalo | $41,860 | 1,110 | |
| 7 | Utica | $41,660 | 360 | |
| 8 | Binghamton | $40,510 | 270 | |
| 9 | Syracuse | $40,450 | 670 | |
| 10 | Glens Falls | $40,190 | 150 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest New York run 7.9% above the national average, so the median of $39,900 buys what $36,979 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 1.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$39,900as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,979US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,900 a year, 6.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,130 to $52,260 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 570 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Ithaca, at $46,870.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Southwest New York, NY?
The median annual wage is $39,900, or $19.18 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 Southwest New York, NY is 6.5% 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 Southwest New York, NY earns more than $52,260 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,130 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 Ithaca, at $46,870 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 570 jobs in this occupation in Southwest New York, NY. 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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