Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay range in Madison
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,050 a year or less, while the top 10% make $48,440 or more. The middle half of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Madison earn between $37,510 and $45,690.
- $34K10th
- $38K25th
- $43KMedian
- $46K75th
- $48K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $42,010 | $3,501 | $20.20 |
| Median | $42,960 | $3,580 | $20.65 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $37,510 | $3,126 | $18.03 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $45,690 | $3,808 | $21.97 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Madison vs. Wisconsin and the U.S.
Cooks, institution and cafeteria in Madison earn 5% more than the Wisconsin average ($39,860) and 8% more than the U.S. average ($38,810). At the median the gap is +15% against the U.S. median of $37,450.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | $42,010 | $42,960 | $34,050 | $48,440 | 1,030 |
| Wisconsin | $39,860 | $38,650 | $32,110 | $47,380 | 9,890 |
| 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 Madison
On the average salary of $42,010, a single filer in Madison takes home about $34,752 a year, or $2,896 a month and $1,337 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 (2026 rules).
Is Madison a good place for cooks, institution and cafeteria? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Madison area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.3), so the average $42,010 buys what about $43,182 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Madison ($58,080). A typical home costs $452,769, or 10.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other Wisconsin cities
Madison ranks 1st of 13 Wisconsin metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
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
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Madison: questions
How much do cooks, institution and cafeteria make an hour in Madison?
$20.20 an hour on average, and $20.65 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Madison?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,050 a year and the 25th percentile is $37,510, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the cooks, institution and cafeteria take-home pay in Madison?
About $34,752 a year ($2,896 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $42,010.
Do cooks, institution and cafeteria earn more in Madison than elsewhere?
The average here is 8% 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 Madison, WI (31540). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.9%.
- 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 0.89, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.