Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Kansas

Cooks, institution and cafeteria in Kansas earn the most in Lawrence (average $36,760 a year) and the least in Wichita ($32,340), across the 4 Kansas metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the cooks, institution and cafeteria average at $32,990 and the median at $31,950 for 7,570 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $38,810.

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria average salary by city in Kansas

Lawrence$36,760
Topeka$33,940
Manhattan$32,920
Wichita$32,340

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Lawrence	$36,760	$36,080	$30,930	$30,465	90
Topeka	$33,940	$33,200	$29,320	$28,350	89
Manhattan	$32,920	$34,100	$29,690	$27,583	90
Wichita	$32,340	$31,850	$28,510	$27,147	89

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other states

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by city and state

More about pay in Kansas

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-2012.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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