Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
Also called: Cafeteria Cook · Cook · Dietary Cook · Dinner Cook · Food Service Specialist · Food Service Worker
Median pay (national)
$36,450
$26,800–$48,320 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
448,260
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+2%
~69,700 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $48,320 versus $26,800 at the bottom 10% — 1.8x. The median of $36,450 leaves roughly 33% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +2% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 69,700 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 54 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $48,260, +32% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $25,380 — a 90% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Speaking, Monitoring, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
Tailor your resume to Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Monitor and record food temperatures to ensure food safety.
- Cook foodstuffs according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or numbers of portions to be served.
- Rotate and store food supplies.
- Clean and inspect galley equipment, kitchen appliances, and work areas to ensure cleanliness and functional operation.
- Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment.
- Direct activities of one or more workers who assist in preparing and serving meals.
- Bake breads, rolls, or other pastries.
- Clean, cut, and cook meat, fish, or poultry.
- Take inventory of supplies and equipment.
- Apportion and serve food to facility residents, employees, or patrons.
Tools & technology
- GNOME Gnutrition
- IBM Lotus 1-2-3
- Meals Plus
- PCS Revenue Control Systems FASTRAK School Meal Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- English Language
- Food Production
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- Production and Processing
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training