Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Fargo, ND
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median $41,120 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $35,220 take-home, or $2,935 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Fargo, ND. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,754
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,549
- Medicare (1.45%)$596
- North Dakota income tax$0
- Take-home pay$35,220
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
The Fargo, ND-MN metro spans North Dakota, Minnesota. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay by experience in Fargo, ND
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,350 | $17.00 | $30,584 | $2,549 |
| 25th percentile | $37,780 | $18.16 | $32,536 | $2,711 |
| Median (50th) | $41,120 | $19.77 | $35,220 | $2,935 |
| 75th percentile | $47,990 | $23.07 | $40,740 | $3,395 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,930 | $24.00 | $42,299 | $3,525 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Dakota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $41,120 buys in Fargo, ND
Prices in Fargo, ND are 9.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 19% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cooks, institution and cafeteria's $35,220 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,758 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs are about as common in Fargo, ND as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.07).
Best-paying cities for cooks, institution and cafeteria, adjusted for cost of living
Fargo, ND ranks #4 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 |
*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 Fargo, ND?
The median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $41,120 a year, or about $19.77 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,780 and $47,990.
What is a cooks, institution and cafeteria’s take-home pay in Fargo, ND?
On the median $41,120 salary, a single filer living in North Dakota takes home about $35,220 a year ($2,935 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Fargo, ND 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 9.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,758 would in a typical U.S. city. Fargo, ND ranks #4 of 165 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cooks, institution and cafeteria afford rent in Fargo, ND?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Fargo, ND is $917 a month ($1,112 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median cooks, institution and cafeteria’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Fargo, ND
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $44,480
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,020
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $36,720
- Food Preparation Worker — $36,590
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $30,950
- Waiter and Waitress — $30,330
- Bartender — $28,390