Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Buffalo-Cheektowaga
In Buffalo-Cheektowaga (NY), the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $20.12 an hour ($41,860 a year). About 1,110 people work in this job there.
That is 12% higher than the U.S. median ($37,450). It is 9% lower than the New York median ($45,880).
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Buffalo-Cheektowaga (NY)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.05 | $35,470 |
| 25% of workers | $18.21 | $37,890 |
| Half of workers (median) | $20.12 | $41,860 |
| 75% of workers | $22.56 | $46,920 |
| 90% of workers | $25.08 | $52,160 |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in New York metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Ithaca | $46,870 | 190 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | $46,870 | 15,270 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | $45,740 | 650 |
| Kingston | $44,650 | 190 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | $43,550 | 920 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga (this page) | $41,860 | 1,110 |
| Utica-Rome | $41,660 | 360 |
| Binghamton | $40,510 | 270 |
| Syracuse | $40,450 | 670 |
| Glens Falls | $40,190 | 150 |
| Rochester | $38,670 | 1,620 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum | $37,830 | 100 |
| Elmira | $36,990 | 90 |
New York unemployment rate: 4.3% (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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga (NY)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,560 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,720 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,060 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $34,700 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $34,730 |
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.