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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Pennsylvania

Want to work as a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Pennsylvania? Below are the key facts. Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.

What do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Make in Pennsylvania?

For a cooks, institution and cafeteria working in Pennsylvania, wages run about $36,830 per year (or roughly $17.71/hour).Pay can range from $28,230 at the 10th percentile to $45,700 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$28,230	$13.57
25th percentile	$31,160	$14.98
Median (50th)	$36,830	$17.71
75th percentile	$41,470	$19.94
90th percentile	$45,700	$21.97

The job concentration index in Pennsylvania nationwide is 1.35, suggesting that cooks, institution and cafeteria are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, cooks, institution and cafeteria earn a median of $30,453 per year ($14.64/hour), above the Pennsylvania median.

Employment Outlook

National employment for 395,074 cooks, institution and cafeteria across the United States. In Pennsylvania alone, around 23,520 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 7,290 cooks, institution and cafeteria.

Top Pennsylvania Metros for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

The largest metro-area employers of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Pennsylvania.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	9,130	$39,070
Pittsburgh, PA	4,770	$36,800
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	1,820	$38,410
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	1,190	$36,520
Lancaster, PA	1,060	$37,420
Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA	1,040	$35,860
Reading, PA	830	$35,740
York-Hanover, PA	810	$35,980
Erie, PA	570	$35,560
Lebanon, PA	300	$35,740
Johnstown, PA	280	$30,730
State College, PA	280	$37,450
Altoona, PA	270	$34,430
Chambersburg, PA	190	$35,740
Gettysburg, PA	170	$37,070
Williamsport, PA	170	$35,400

Top States for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Employment

View the states that employ the most cooks, institution and cafeteria work.

State	Number Employed
Texas	35,110
California	27,320
Florida	24,100
Pennsylvania	23,520
Ohio	23,180
Illinois	22,850
New York	16,980
Michigan	13,650
Missouri	13,310
North Carolina	11,970
Tennessee	11,890
Indiana	11,690
Oklahoma	11,660
Kentucky	11,650
Virginia	11,070
Washington	10,210
Wisconsin	9,680
Colorado	9,520
Iowa	9,460
Alabama	8,970

Highest-Paying States for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

The highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria.

State	Annual Median Salary
Washington	$48,260
Hawaii	$47,250
Alaska	$46,900
Massachusetts	$46,280
Connecticut	$45,870
California	$45,680
District of Columbia	$45,600
Rhode Island	$45,450
New Hampshire	$45,280
New York	$45,160

Skills

Top cooks, institution and cafeteria skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for cooks, institution and cafeteria, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

• Monitor and record food temperatures to ensure food safety.
• Cook foodstuffs according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or numbers of portions to be served.
• Rotate and store food supplies.
• Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment.
• Apportion and serve food to facility residents, employees, or patrons.
• Clean and inspect galley equipment, kitchen appliances, and work areas to ensure cleanliness and functional operation.
• Clean, cut, and cook meat, fish, or poultry.
• Direct activities of one or more workers who assist in preparing and serving meals.
• Train new employees.
• Take inventory of supplies and equipment.
• Requisition food supplies, kitchen equipment, and appliances, based on estimates of future needs.
• Bake breads, rolls, or other pastries.

Work Activities

• Getting Information
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Assisting and Caring for Others
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Performing General Physical Activities
• Processing Information

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Related college programs include:

• Culinary Arts

Related Careers

Other careers like cooks, institution and cafeteria include:

• Food Service Managers
• Dietetic Technicians
• Chefs and Head Cooks
• First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
• Cooks, Fast Food
• Cooks, Private Household

Also Known As

Boarding House Cook, Cafeteria Cook, Camp Cook, Cook, Culinary Specialist, Dietary Aide, Dietary Cook, Dinner Cook, Food Service Specialist, Food Service Worker, Galley Cook, Institutional Cook, Kitchen Cook, Line Cook, Mess Cook.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 35-2012.00