Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Lancaster
In Lancaster (PA), the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $17.81 an hour ($37,040 a year). About 1,020 people work in this job there.
That is about the same as the U.S. median ($37,450). It is about the same as the Pennsylvania median ($36,540).
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Lancaster (PA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $14.33 | $29,800 |
| 25% of workers | $15.24 | $31,690 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.81 | $37,040 |
| 75% of workers | $20.97 | $43,620 |
| 90% of workers | $22.25 | $46,270 |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Pennsylvania metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $38,870 | 9,810 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $38,570 | 1,750 |
| State College | $37,100 | 260 |
| Lancaster (this page) | $37,040 | 1,020 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $36,880 | 1,190 |
| Reading | $36,590 | 810 |
| Lebanon | $36,230 | 290 |
| Pittsburgh | $36,100 | 4,890 |
| York-Hanover | $36,030 | 900 |
| Gettysburg | $35,770 | 170 |
| Williamsport | $35,720 | 170 |
| Erie | $35,620 | 500 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $35,320 | 1,080 |
| Chambersburg | $34,910 | 220 |
| Altoona | $34,610 | 290 |
| Johnstown | $30,450 | 280 |
Pennsylvania unemployment rate: 3.7% (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 Lancaster (PA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,580 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,500 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $43,250 |
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.