Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
SOC: 35-2012 O*NET: 35-2012.00
Median Salary
$36,450
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
69.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
What does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$26,800
10th percentile
Early Career
$30,530
25th percentile
Median
$36,450
50th percentile
Experienced
$42,860
75th percentile
Top Earners
$48,320
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$26,800
25th
$30,530
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$36,450
Mean: $37,310
75th
$42,860
90th
$48,320
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $21,520 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $30,530 and $42,860
- •Salary spread is 33.8% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 448,260 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:466,100
Top Industries
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities23%
Food Services and Drinking Places17.3%
Special Food Services16%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2%
Annual Openings:69,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)466,100
Current
2034 (Projected)475,400
+2%
+9,300
Employment Change
+2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
35,110 jobs$32,7800.87x
California
27,320 jobs$45,6800.52x
Florida
24,100 jobs$35,6400.84x
Pennsylvania
23,520 jobs$36,8301.35x
Ohio
23,180 jobs$36,2501.44x
Illinois
22,850 jobs$36,4301.30x
New York
16,980 jobs$45,1600.61x
Michigan
13,650 jobs$35,8701.07x
Missouri
13,310 jobs$30,9201.57x
North Carolina
11,970 jobs$34,5900.84x
Tennessee
11,890 jobs$31,9101.25x
Indiana
11,690 jobs$35,0801.26x
Oklahoma
11,660 jobs$28,7102.37x
Kentucky
11,650 jobs$30,7702.01x
Virginia
11,070 jobs$36,2600.94x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Judgment and Decision Making
94%
#3
Service Orientation
86%
#4
Quality Control Analysis
80%
#5
Operations Monitoring
74%
#6
Monitoring
66%
#7
Management of Personnel Resources
60%
#8
Coordination
54%
#9
Critical Thinking
46%
#10
Time Management
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Judgment and Decision Making
advanced4.7
94%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.3
86%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate4.0
80%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Management of Personnel Resources
intermediate3.0
60%
Coordination
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Management of Personnel Resources
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Chefs and Head Cooks67%
5 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers67%
5 shared skills
Spa Managers67%
5 shared skills
Gambling Managers67%
5 shared skills
Brickmasons and Blockmasons64%
5 shared skills
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers58%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Service Orientation
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Management of Personnel Resources
- →Coordination
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Speaking
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Management & Supervision (1)Training & Development (1)Planning & Development (1)
1
Clean and inspect galley equipment, kitchen appliances, and work areas to ensure cleanliness and functional operation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Apportion and serve food to facility residents, employees, or patrons.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Cook foodstuffs according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or numbers of portions to be served.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Clean, cut, and cook meat, fish, or poultry.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Monitor use of government food commodities to ensure that proper procedures are followed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Compile and maintain records of food use and expenditures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Direct activities of one or more workers who assist in preparing and serving meals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision79% perform86%
9
Bake breads, rolls, or other pastries.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Train new employees.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Training & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria professionals typically have a RCS Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.55
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.50
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.48
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.44
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.35
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.29
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Self-Control
4.5
Integrity
4.4
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
Initiative
4.1
Concern for Others
4.0
Independence
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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