Careers · Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria · District of Columbia
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia the median pay is $45,450 a year, 21% above the national median of $37,450.
$45,450median pay in District of Columbia, per year
$39,980–$46,950middle half earn
1,500employed in District of Columbia
$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 District of Columbia
1open role like this on employer career sites, 0 in District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in other states
Washington · $49,670Alaska · $48,580Massachusetts · $47,790Hawaii · $47,770Rhode Island · $46,570California · $46,390Vermont · $46,370Connecticut · $46,120New York · $45,880New 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, District of Columbia, annual.