Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Dover, DE
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Dover, DE metro area earn a median $41,370 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $33,802 take-home, or $2,817 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Dover, DE. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,784
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,565
- Medicare (1.45%)$600
- Delaware income tax$1,619
- Take-home pay$33,802
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.55% state
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay by experience in Dover, DE
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,060 | $16.86 | $29,082 | $2,423 |
| 25th percentile | $38,810 | $18.66 | $31,887 | $2,657 |
| Median (50th) | $41,370 | $19.89 | $33,802 | $2,817 |
| 75th percentile | $44,090 | $21.20 | $35,836 | $2,986 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,030 | $22.13 | $37,287 | $3,107 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Delaware resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $41,370 buys in Dover, DE
Prices in Dover, DE are 2.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 4% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cooks, institution and cafeteria's $33,802 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,666 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Dover, DE has 2.7× the national concentration of cooks, institution and cafeteria jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for cooks, institution and cafeteria, adjusted for cost of living
Dover, DE ranks #34 of 165 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $51,530 | $43,584 | $39,218 |
| 2 | Springfield, MA | $46,440 | $37,393 | $38,926 |
| 3 | Anchorage, AK | $48,290 | $40,981 | $38,874 |
| 4 | Fargo, ND | $41,120 | $35,220 | $38,758 |
| 5 | Burlington, VT | $47,390 | $39,104 | $38,737 |
| 6 | Spokane, WA | $45,330 | $38,603 | $38,470 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $51,880 | $42,029 | $38,062 |
| 8 | Providence, RI | $46,350 | $38,301 | $37,634 |
| 34 | Dover, DE | $41,370 | $33,802 | $34,666 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 165 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Dover, DE?
The median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in the Dover, DE metro area is $41,370 a year, or about $19.89 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,810 and $44,090.
What is a cooks, institution and cafeteria’s take-home pay in Dover, DE?
On the median $41,370 salary, a single filer living in Delaware takes home about $33,802 a year ($2,817 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,619 in Delaware taxes in 2026.
Is Dover, DE a good place to work as a cooks, institution and cafeteria?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $37,450. Local prices are 2.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,666 would in a typical U.S. city. Dover, DE ranks #34 of 165 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cooks, institution and cafeteria afford rent in Dover, DE?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Dover, DE is $1,165 a month ($1,470 for two bedrooms) — 41% of a median cooks, institution and cafeteria’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Dover, DE
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $46,720
- Waiter and Waitress — $36,030
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,570
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $31,200