Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Duluth, MN
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Duluth, MN-WI metro area earn a median $40,300 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $33,224 take-home, or $2,769 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Duluth, MN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,656
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,499
- Medicare (1.45%)$584
- Minnesota income tax$1,338
- Take-home pay$33,224
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.35% state
The Duluth, MN-WI metro spans Minnesota, Wisconsin. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay by experience in Duluth, MN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,100 | $15.91 | $27,824 | $2,319 |
| 25th percentile | $37,190 | $17.88 | $30,891 | $2,574 |
| Median (50th) | $40,300 | $19.38 | $33,224 | $2,769 |
| 75th percentile | $44,720 | $21.50 | $36,539 | $3,045 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,040 | $23.58 | $39,772 | $3,314 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Minnesota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $40,300 buys in Duluth, MN
Prices in Duluth, MN are 11.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cooks, institution and cafeteria's $33,224 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,427 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Duluth, MN has 1.5× 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
Duluth, MN ranks #10 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 |
| 10 | Duluth, MN | $40,300 | $33,224 | $37,427 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 165 metros →
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries elsewhere in Minnesota
- Minneapolis, MN — $44,830
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Duluth, MN?
The median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in the Duluth, MN-WI metro area is $40,300 a year, or about $19.38 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,190 and $44,720.
What is a cooks, institution and cafeteria’s take-home pay in Duluth, MN?
On the median $40,300 salary, a single filer living in Minnesota takes home about $33,224 a year ($2,769 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,338 in Minnesota taxes in 2026.
Is Duluth, MN a good place to work as a cooks, institution and cafeteria?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $37,450. Local prices are 11.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,427 would in a typical U.S. city. Duluth, MN ranks #10 of 165 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cooks, institution and cafeteria afford rent in Duluth, MN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Duluth, MN is $978 a month ($1,232 for two bedrooms) — 35% of a median cooks, institution and cafeteria’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Duluth, MN
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $42,860
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,680
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $35,880
- Food Preparation Worker — $34,010
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,260
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $26,900
- Bartender — $23,540
- Waiter and Waitress — $23,150