Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay range in Jackson
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $30,410 a year or less, while the top 10% make $45,970 or more. The middle half of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Jackson earn between $35,280 and $39,660.
- $30K10th
- $35K25th
- $38KMedian
- $40K75th
- $46K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $38,380 | $3,198 | $18.45 |
| Median | $38,360 | $3,197 | $18.44 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $35,280 | $2,940 | $16.96 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $39,660 | $3,305 | $19.07 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Jackson vs. Michigan and the U.S.
Cooks, institution and cafeteria in Jackson earn about the same as the Michigan average ($37,370) and about the same as the U.S. average ($38,810). At the median the gap is +2% against the U.S. median of $37,450.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $38,380 | $38,360 | $30,410 | $45,970 | 270 |
| Michigan | $37,370 | $36,870 | $29,800 | $45,540 | 13,500 |
| United States | $38,810 | $37,450 | $28,480 | $49,670 | 441,050 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary after taxes in Jackson
On the average salary of $38,380, a single filer in Jackson takes home about $31,308 a year, or $2,609 a month and $1,204 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Jackson's local income tax (1%).
Is Jackson a good place for cooks, institution and cafeteria? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Jackson area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.8), so the average $38,380 buys what about $41,818 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Jackson ($47,760). A typical home costs $227,287, or 5.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other Michigan cities
Jackson ranks 5th of 15 Michigan metro areas for this job; Ann Arbor pays the most ($41,680).
- Ann Arbor$41,680
- Traverse City$39,950
- Battle Creek$39,040
- Grand Rapids$38,540
- Jackson$38,380
- Detroit$37,640
- Lansing$36,920
- Niles$36,350
- Midland$36,240
- Kalamazoo$36,150
Highest-paying cities for cooks, institution and cafeteria
Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($57,770).
- Kahului, HI$57,770
- San Jose, CA$54,290
- Seattle, WA$53,820
- Barnstable, MA$52,850
- San Francisco, CA$52,440
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Jackson: questions
How much do cooks, institution and cafeteria make an hour in Jackson?
$18.45 an hour on average, and $18.44 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Jackson?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $30,410 a year and the 25th percentile is $35,280, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the cooks, institution and cafeteria take-home pay in Jackson?
About $31,308 a year ($2,609 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $38,380. Includes Jackson's local income tax (1%).
Do cooks, institution and cafeteria earn more in Jackson than elsewhere?
The average here is about the same as the U.S. average for this job ($38,810).
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; area Jackson, MI (27100). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.9%.
- 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.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Jackson's local income tax (1%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.69, this job is 1.7 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.