Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Puerto Rico

Cooks, institution and cafeteria in Puerto Rico earn the most in Ponce (average $28,540 a year) and the least in Mayaguez ($26,960), across the 6 Puerto Rico metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the cooks, institution and cafeteria average at $28,030 and the median at $26,260 for 7,000 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $38,810.

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria average salary by city in Puerto Rico

Ponce$28,540
Aguadilla$28,060
San Juan$27,890
Guayama$27,570
Arecibo$27,030
Mayaguez$26,960

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Ponce	$28,540	$28,540	$22,170	n/a	n/a
Aguadilla	$28,060	$26,260	$21,850	n/a	n/a
San Juan	$27,890	$26,260	$22,580	n/a	n/a
Guayama	$27,570	$23,570	$21,840	n/a	n/a
Arecibo	$27,030	$24,410	$21,840	n/a	n/a
Mayaguez	$26,960	$23,820	$21,840	n/a	n/a

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other states

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by city and state

More about pay in Puerto Rico

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.
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.

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