Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Wichita
In Wichita (KS), the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $15.31 an hour ($31,850 a year). About 1,370 people work in this job there.
That is 15% lower than the U.S. median ($37,450). It is about the same as the Kansas median ($31,950).
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Wichita (KS)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $11.33 | $23,570 |
| 25% of workers | $13.71 | $28,510 |
| Half of workers (median) | $15.31 | $31,850 |
| 75% of workers | $17.40 | $36,180 |
| 90% of workers | $18.76 | $39,020 |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Kansas metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | $36,080 | 180 |
| Manhattan | $34,100 | 310 |
| Topeka | $33,200 | 480 |
| Wichita (this page) | $31,850 | 1,370 |
Kansas unemployment rate: 3.8% (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 Wichita (KS)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,420 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,510 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,420 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $29,940 |
Other job titles for this job
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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.