Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.

What a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria does

You prepare meals in large quantities for schools, hospitals, corporate cafeterias, or other institutions while following nutritional guidelines and food safety regulations. You often work with diverse ingredients to serve many people daily.

Education & path

The typical entry point is a high school diploma. No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning.

Estimated cost of that path: No degree cost. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.

Related careers

• Fast Food and Counter Workers — $31,200/yr
• Baristas — $31,200/yr
• Waiters and Waitresses — $35,230/yr
• Cooks, Restaurant — $37,390/yr
• First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $44,080/yr