Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay range in Muskegon
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $29,300 a year or less, while the top 10% make $45,970 or more. The middle half of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Muskegon earn between $30,840 and $38,220.
- $29K10th
- $31K25th
- $35KMedian
- $38K75th
- $46K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $35,950 | $2,996 | $17.28 |
| Median | $34,980 | $2,915 | $16.82 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $30,840 | $2,570 | $14.83 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $38,220 | $3,185 | $18.38 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Muskegon vs. Michigan and the U.S.
Cooks, institution and cafeteria in Muskegon earn 4% less than the Michigan average ($37,370) and 7% less than the U.S. average ($38,810). At the median the gap is -7% against the U.S. median of $37,450.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskegon | $35,950 | $34,980 | $29,300 | $45,970 | 220 |
| Michigan | $37,370 | $36,870 | $29,800 | $45,540 | 13,500 |
| United States | $38,810 | $37,450 | $28,480 | $49,670 | 441,050 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary after taxes in Muskegon
On the average salary of $35,950, a single filer in Muskegon takes home about $29,483 a year, or $2,457 a month and $1,134 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Muskegon's local income tax (1%).
Is Muskegon a good place for cooks, institution and cafeteria? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Muskegon area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.5), so the average $35,950 buys what about $38,857 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Muskegon ($46,060). A typical home costs $255,271, or 7.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other Michigan cities
Muskegon ranks 12th of 15 Michigan metro areas for this job; Ann Arbor pays the most ($41,680).
- Ann Arbor$41,680
- Traverse City$39,950
- Battle Creek$39,040
- Grand Rapids$38,540
- Jackson$38,380
- Detroit$37,640
- Lansing$36,920
- Niles$36,350
- Midland$36,240
- Muskegon$35,950
Highest-paying cities for cooks, institution and cafeteria
Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($57,770).
- Kahului, HI$57,770
- San Jose, CA$54,290
- Seattle, WA$53,820
- Barnstable, MA$52,850
- San Francisco, CA$52,440
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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Muskegon: questions
How much do cooks, institution and cafeteria make an hour in Muskegon?
$17.28 an hour on average, and $16.82 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Muskegon?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $29,300 a year and the 25th percentile is $30,840, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the cooks, institution and cafeteria take-home pay in Muskegon?
About $29,483 a year ($2,457 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $35,950. Includes Muskegon's local income tax (1%).
Do cooks, institution and cafeteria earn more in Muskegon than elsewhere?
The average here is 7% less than the U.S. average for this job ($38,810).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-2012; area Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI (34740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.7%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Muskegon's local income tax (1%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.24, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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