SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — West North Dakota
West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in West North Dakota, ND is $40,720 per year, 8.7% above 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 West North Dakota, ND is $40,720 per year, 8.7% above the national median of $37,450. Half of workers earn between $37,800 and $46,450. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $33,040 and the ninetieth at $50,580.
Employment stands at 340, or 3.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Fargo records the highest median at $41,120. Of the 279 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 230th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,040 | −11.8% |
| 25th | $37,800 | +0.9% |
| Median (50th) | $40,720 | +8.7% |
| 75th | $46,450 | +24.0% |
| 90th | $50,580 | +35.1% |
| Mean | $41,900 | +11.9% |
Other metro areas in North Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo | $41,120 | 450 | |
| 2 | Minot | $38,570 | 170 | |
| 3 | Grand Forks | $38,500 | 200 | |
| 4 | Bismarck | $38,310 | 310 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West North Dakota run 11.0% below the national average, so the median of $40,720 goes as far as $45,753 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 22.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$40,720as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$45,753US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $40,720 a year, 8.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $33,040 to $50,580 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 340 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fargo, at $41,120.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in West North Dakota, ND?
The median annual wage is $40,720, or $19.58 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 West North Dakota, ND is 8.7% 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 West North Dakota, ND earns more than $50,580 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $33,040 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 Fargo, at $41,120 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 340 jobs in this occupation in West North Dakota, ND. 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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