Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay range in Fargo
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,350 a year or less, while the top 10% make $49,930 or more. The middle half of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Fargo earn between $37,780 and $47,990.
- $35K10th
- $38K25th
- $41KMedian
- $48K75th
- $50K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $42,420 | $3,535 | $20.39 |
| Median | $41,120 | $3,427 | $19.77 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $37,780 | $3,148 | $18.16 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $47,990 | $3,999 | $23.07 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Fargo vs. North Dakota and the U.S.
Cooks, institution and cafeteria in Fargo earn 3% more than the North Dakota average ($41,140) and 9% more than the U.S. average ($38,810). At the median the gap is +10% against the U.S. median of $37,450.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $42,420 | $41,120 | $35,350 | $49,930 | 450 |
| North Dakota | $41,140 | $39,490 | $31,300 | $48,670 | 1,820 |
| 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 Fargo
On the average salary of $42,420, a single filer in Fargo takes home about $36,264 a year, or $3,022 a month and $1,395 every two weeks. Taxes take 15% of gross pay.
The Fargo, ND-MN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in ND | $36,264 | $3,022 |
| Working in MN | $34,814 | $2,901 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Fargo a good place for cooks, institution and cafeteria? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Fargo area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 90.9), so the average $42,420 buys what about $46,682 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Fargo ($51,050). A typical home costs $327,854, or 7.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other North Dakota cities
Fargo ranks 1st of 4 North Dakota metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Fargo$42,420
- Minot$41,260
- Grand Forks$40,630
- Bismarck$40,230
All Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries in North Dakota
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 Fargo: questions
How much do cooks, institution and cafeteria make an hour in Fargo?
$20.40 an hour on average, and $19.77 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Fargo?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,350 a year and the 25th percentile is $37,780, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the cooks, institution and cafeteria take-home pay in Fargo?
About $36,264 a year ($3,022 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $42,420.
Do cooks, institution and cafeteria earn more in Fargo than elsewhere?
The average here is 9% more 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 Fargo, ND-MN (22020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.2%.
- 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 (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.07, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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