SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — Wenatchee
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA · 10 metro areas compared
In Wenatchee, WA the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria is $46,690 a year, which is 24.7% higher than the national figure of $37,450.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Wenatchee, WA the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria is $46,690 a year, which is 24.7% higher than the national figure of $37,450. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $42,920 and $49,440. The lowest tenth earn under $38,970, while the highest tenth earn more than $53,770.
The area has 140 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.99 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Mount Vernon records the highest median at $51,620. Of the 229 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 176th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,970 | +4.1% |
| 25th | $42,920 | +14.6% |
| Median (50th) | $46,690 | +24.7% |
| 75th | $49,440 | +32.0% |
| 90th | $53,770 | +43.6% |
| Mean | $46,650 | +24.6% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Vernon | $51,620 | 240 | |
| 2 | Seattle | $51,530 | 5,380 | |
| 3 | Bellingham | $49,320 | 250 | |
| 4 | Bremerton | $49,280 | 240 | |
| 5 | Olympia | $48,820 | 290 | |
| 6 | Kennewick | $46,820 | 310 | |
| 7 | Yakima | $46,730 | 430 | |
| 8 | Walla Walla | $46,170 | 90 | |
| 9 | Longview | $45,640 | 120 | |
| 10 | Spokane | $45,330 | 750 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wenatchee run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $46,690 buys what $43,636 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 16.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,690as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$43,636US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,690 a year, 24.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,970 to $53,770 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 140 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Mount Vernon, at $51,620.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Wenatchee, WA?
The median annual wage is $46,690, or $22.45 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 Wenatchee, WA is 24.7% 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 Wenatchee, WA earns more than $53,770 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,970 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 Mount Vernon, at $51,620 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 140 jobs in this occupation in Wenatchee, WA. 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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