Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
In Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (FL), the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $16.85 an hour ($35,040 a year). About 4,220 people work in this job there.
That is 6% lower than the U.S. median ($37,450). It is 3% lower than the Florida median ($36,250).
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (FL)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.59 | $32,420 |
| 25% of workers | $16.85 | $35,040 |
| Half of workers (median) | $16.85 | $35,040 |
| 75% of workers | $18.67 | $38,820 |
| 90% of workers | $21.54 | $44,810 |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Florida metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Naples-Marco Island | $43,890 | 440 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor | $38,730 | 160 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | $37,620 | 1,030 |
| Sebring | $37,380 | 130 |
| Punta Gorda | $37,200 | 140 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | $37,190 | 180 |
| Port St. Lucie | $37,070 | 370 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | $36,970 | 3,780 |
| Homosassa Springs | $36,710 | 190 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | $36,510 | 420 |
| Jacksonville | $36,490 | 1,770 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $36,480 | 6,220 |
| Gainesville | $36,400 | 330 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | $36,250 | 1,580 |
| Wildwood-The Villages | $35,940 | 160 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | $35,890 | 390 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach | $35,680 | 170 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | $35,610 | 680 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (this page) | $35,040 | 4,220 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | $34,810 | 1,080 |
| Tallahassee | $34,710 | 370 |
| Ocala | $33,410 | 340 |
Florida unemployment rate: 4.5% (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 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (FL)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,260 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,010 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,240 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $36,330 |
| Food Service Managers | $80,180 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,300 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $58,240 |
| Bakers | $35,410 |
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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.