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Skilled Trades

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.

Median salary (BLS)

$37,450

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$28k – $50k

Job outlook

+2% (about average)

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Entry / Junior

    $28,480

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Established

    $37,450

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Senior

    $43,560

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Monitor and record food temperatures to ensure food safety.
  • •Cook foodstuffs according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or numbers of portions to be served.
  • •Rotate and store food supplies.
  • •Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment.
  • •Apportion and serve food to facility residents, employees, or patrons.

Fields of study

Any field

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