SOC 35-2012 · York-Hanover, PA metro

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in York, PA

The average salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in York, Pennsylvania is $37,120 a year ($17.84 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $36,030: half of the 900 people in this job in the York-Hanover, PA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 4% less than the U.S. average for this job ($38,810).

$37,120average per year

$17.84 / hourMedian $36,030Take-home ≈ $30,866

  • $29K10th
  • $31K25th
  • $36KMedian
  • $41K75th
  • $50K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

900people in this job
-4%vs U.S. average
#6 of 16Pennsylvania metros
96cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay range in York

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $29,320 a year or less, while the top 10% make $49,630 or more. The middle half of cooks, institution and cafeteria in York earn between $30,710 and $40,840.

  • $29K10th
  • $31K25th
  • $36KMedian
  • $41K75th
  • $50K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$37,120$3,093$17.85
Median$36,030$3,002$17.32
Entry level (25th percentile)$30,710$2,559$14.76
Experienced (75th percentile)$40,840$3,403$19.63

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in York vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.

Cooks, institution and cafeteria in York earn about the same as the Pennsylvania average ($36,950) and 4% less than the U.S. average ($38,810). At the median the gap is -4% against the U.S. median of $37,450.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
York$37,120$36,030$29,320$49,630900
Pennsylvania$36,950$36,540$28,390$46,38024,490
United States$38,810$37,450$28,480$49,670441,050

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary after taxes in York

On the average salary of $37,120, a single filer in York takes home about $30,866 a year, or $2,572 a month and $1,187 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.

Pennsylvania paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is York a good place for cooks, institution and cafeteria? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the York area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.0), so the average $37,120 buys what about $38,667 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in York ($48,170). A typical home costs $309,967, or 8.4 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $37,120 is worth in another city

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other Pennsylvania cities

York ranks 6th of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Philadelphia pays the most ($39,980).

All Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries in Pennsylvania

Highest-paying cities for cooks, institution and cafeteria

Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($57,770).

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by city

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in York: questions

How much do cooks, institution and cafeteria make an hour in York?

$17.84 an hour on average, and $17.32 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in York?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $29,320 a year and the 25th percentile is $30,710, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the cooks, institution and cafeteria take-home pay in York?

About $30,866 a year ($2,572 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $37,120. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.

Do cooks, institution and cafeteria earn more in York than elsewhere?

The average here is 4% 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 York-Hanover, PA (49620). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.1%.
  • 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). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.73, this job is 1.7 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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