Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Tampa, FL
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area earn a median $35,040 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,335 take-home, or $2,528 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Tampa, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,025
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,172
- Medicare (1.45%)$508
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$30,335
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 Tampa, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,420 | $15.59 | $28,229 | $2,352 |
| 25th percentile | $35,040 | $16.85 | $30,335 | $2,528 |
| Median (50th) | $35,040 | $16.85 | $30,335 | $2,528 |
| 75th percentile | $38,820 | $18.66 | $33,372 | $2,781 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,810 | $21.54 | $38,185 | $3,182 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,040 buys in Tampa, FL
Prices in Tampa, FL are 0.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.26× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cooks, institution and cafeteria's $30,335 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,067 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 Tampa, FL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.03).
Best-paying cities for cooks, institution and cafeteria, adjusted for cost of living
Tampa, FL ranks #33 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 |
| 33 | Tampa, FL | $35,040 | $30,335 | $30,067 |
*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
- Orlando, FL — $36,970
- Miami, FL — $36,480
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Tampa, FL?
The median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area is $35,040 a year, or about $16.85 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,040 and $38,820.
What is a cooks, institution and cafeteria’s take-home pay in Tampa, FL?
On the median $35,040 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $30,335 a year ($2,528 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Tampa, FL a good place to work as a cooks, institution and cafeteria?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $37,450. Local prices are 0.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,067 would in a typical U.S. city. Tampa, FL ranks #33 of 37 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cooks, institution and cafeteria afford rent in Tampa, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tampa, FL is $1,696 a month ($1,977 for two bedrooms) — 67% of a median cooks, institution and cafeteria’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tampa, FL
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,240
- Bartender — $37,460
- Waiter and Waitress — $37,070
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,010
- Food Preparation Worker — $36,330
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $34,480
- Dishwasher — $31,670
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $31,150
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $29,880
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,260