Careers · Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria · California
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in California
Institution and cafeteria cooks prepare and cook large quantities of food in settings such as schools, hospitals, prisons, and corporate cafeterias. They work in commercial kitchens where they follow recipes and food safety protocols to feed groups of people efficiently In California the median pay is $46,390 a year, 24% above the national median of $37,450.
$46,390median pay in California, per year
$40,240–$52,060middle half earn
31,660employed in California
$37,450U.S. median, for comparison
Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against cooks, institution and cafeteria and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against cooks, institution and cafeteria and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Who is hiring in California
1open role like this on employer career sites, 1 in California or remote
1employer hiring
1posted in the last 7 days
CAwhere most openings are
What it takes
Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most hold a high school diploma.
Skills that matter most
SpeakingMonitoringService OrientationOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingActive ListeningCritical Thinking
Knowledge areas
English LanguageFood ProductionCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematics (knowledge)Administration and ManagementProduction and Processing
Full profile, interests that fit, certifications and training: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria.
Licenses and training in California
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in other states
Washington · $49,670Alaska · $48,580Massachusetts · $47,790Hawaii · $47,770Rhode Island · $46,570Vermont · $46,370Connecticut · $46,120New York · $45,880District of Columbia · $45,450New Hampshire · $45,370
Related occupations
Cooks, Fast FoodCooks, Private HouseholdCooks, RestaurantCooks, Short OrderCooks, All OtherFood Preparation WorkersChefs and Head CooksFirst-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against cooks, institution and cafeteria and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against cooks, institution and cafeteria and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 35-2012.00. Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, California, annual.