Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Orlando, FL
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL metro area earn a median $36,970 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,885 take-home, or $2,657 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Orlando, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,256
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,292
- Medicare (1.45%)$536
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$31,885
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay by experience in Orlando, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,840 | $15.31 | $27,763 | $2,314 |
| 25th percentile | $34,500 | $16.59 | $29,901 | $2,492 |
| Median (50th) | $36,970 | $17.77 | $31,885 | $2,657 |
| 75th percentile | $45,170 | $21.72 | $38,474 | $3,206 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,470 | $23.78 | $41,929 | $3,494 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,970 buys in Orlando, FL
Prices in Orlando, FL are 1.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.23× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cooks, institution and cafeteria's $31,885 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,440 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 Orlando, FL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.94).
Best-paying cities for cooks, institution and cafeteria, adjusted for cost of living
Orlando, FL ranks #26 of 37 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 | San Jose, CA | $51,880 | $42,029 | $38,062 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $48,530 | $38,967 | $35,992 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $45,070 | $37,119 | $35,090 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $44,830 | $36,621 | $34,936 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $49,140 | $40,027 | $34,622 |
| 7 | San Diego, CA | $47,100 | $38,537 | $34,443 |
| 8 | Riverside, CA | $44,470 | $36,565 | $34,352 |
| 26 | Orlando, FL | $36,970 | $31,885 | $31,440 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 37 metros →
About the job: cooks, institution and cafeteria
Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.8% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries elsewhere in Florida
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Orlando, FL?
The median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL metro area is $36,970 a year, or about $17.77 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,500 and $45,170.
What is a cooks, institution and cafeteria’s take-home pay in Orlando, FL?
On the median $36,970 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $31,885 a year ($2,657 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Orlando, FL a good place to work as a cooks, institution and cafeteria?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $37,450. Local prices are 1.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,440 would in a typical U.S. city. Orlando, FL ranks #26 of 37 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cooks, institution and cafeteria afford rent in Orlando, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Orlando, FL is $1,731 a month ($1,972 for two bedrooms) — 65% of a median cooks, institution and cafeteria’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Orlando, FL
- Chef and Head Cook — $61,390
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $43,070
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,970
- Food Preparation Worker — $35,600
- Waiter and Waitress — $35,410
- Bartender — $33,650
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $33,500
- Dishwasher — $32,220
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $32,170
- Cooks, Fast Food — $29,940
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $29,640
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,620