Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Madison
In Madison (WI), the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $20.65 an hour ($42,960 a year). About 1,030 people work in this job there.
That is 15% higher than the U.S. median ($37,450). It is 11% higher than the Wisconsin median ($38,650).
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Madison (WI)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $16.37 | $34,050 |
| 25% of workers | $18.04 | $37,510 |
| Half of workers (median) | $20.65 | $42,960 |
| 75% of workers | $21.97 | $45,690 |
| 90% of workers | $23.29 | $48,440 |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Wisconsin metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Madison (this page) | $42,960 | 1,030 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | $39,050 | 310 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | $38,980 | 2,710 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | $38,880 | 250 |
| Green Bay | $38,640 | 480 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | $38,530 | 240 |
| Janesville-Beloit | $38,440 | 210 |
| Wausau | $38,170 | 160 |
| Kenosha | $38,150 | 240 |
| Appleton | $38,110 | 340 |
| Eau Claire | $37,990 | 330 |
| Sheboygan | $37,470 | 210 |
| Fond du Lac | $37,200 | 170 |
Wisconsin unemployment rate: 3.2% (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 Madison (WI)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,820 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,440 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,060 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $36,940 |
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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.