Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay range in Olympia
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $39,200 a year or less, while the top 10% make $61,210 or more. The middle half of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Olympia earn between $44,250 and $59,360.
- $39K10th
- $44K25th
- $49KMedian
- $59K75th
- $61K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $50,630 | $4,219 | $24.34 |
| Median | $48,820 | $4,068 | $23.47 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $44,250 | $3,688 | $21.27 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $59,360 | $4,947 | $28.54 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Olympia vs. Washington and the U.S.
Cooks, institution and cafeteria in Olympia earn about the same as the Washington average ($51,290) and 30% more than the U.S. average ($38,810). At the median the gap is +30% against the U.S. median of $37,450.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia | $50,630 | $48,820 | $39,200 | $61,210 | 290 |
| Washington | $51,290 | $49,670 | $39,820 | $62,840 | 9,780 |
| 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 Olympia
On the average salary of $50,630, a single filer in Olympia takes home about $42,861 a year, or $3,572 a month and $1,649 every two weeks. Taxes take 15% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
Is Olympia a good place for cooks, institution and cafeteria? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Olympia area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.7), so the average $50,630 buys what about $48,838 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Olympia ($61,960). A typical home costs $533,918, or 10.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other Washington cities
Olympia ranks 3rd of 11 Washington metro areas for this job; Seattle pays the most ($53,820).
- Seattle$53,820
- Mount Vernon$51,930
- Olympia$50,630
- Bellingham$49,870
- Bremerton$48,680
- Kennewick$47,670
- Yakima$46,890
- Wenatchee$46,650
- Longview$46,610
- Spokane$46,460
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 Olympia: questions
How much do cooks, institution and cafeteria make an hour in Olympia?
$24.34 an hour on average, and $23.47 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Olympia?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $39,200 a year and the 25th percentile is $44,250, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the cooks, institution and cafeteria take-home pay in Olympia?
About $42,861 a year ($3,572 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $50,630. Washington has no state income tax; Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
Do cooks, institution and cafeteria earn more in Olympia than elsewhere?
The average here is 30% 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 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA (36500). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.8%.
- 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 no state income tax. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.79, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.79).
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