Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC), the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $21.58 an hour ($44,880 a year). About 5,670 people work in this job there.
That is 20% higher than the U.S. median ($37,450). It is about the same as the District of Columbia median ($45,450).
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.59 | $36,580 |
| 25% of workers | $19.02 | $39,570 |
| Half of workers (median) | $21.58 | $44,880 |
| 75% of workers | $22.65 | $47,110 |
| 90% of workers | $25.91 | $53,890 |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in District of Columbia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (this page) | $44,880 | 5,670 |
District of Columbia unemployment rate: 5.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, institution and cafeteria
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +2.8% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 62,900 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,600 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $42,920 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,580 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $37,630 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $35,800 |
| Bakers | $38,650 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $74,900 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $39,650 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.