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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Harrisburg, PA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Harrisburg, PA have a median annual salary of $36,880, with 1,190 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $29,920 at the 10th percentile to $44,900 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$36,880

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$17.73

Employment

1,190

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$29,920
10th
$30,600
25th
$36,880
Median
$40,200
75th
$44,900
90th

Local compared with national

Harrisburg, PA

$36,880

Median annual · 2025

United States

$37,450

Median annual · 2025

The Harrisburg, PA median is 1.5% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $570).

Top skills

  1. 1.SpeakingImportance 3.1
  2. 2.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  3. 3.Service OrientationImportance 3.1
  4. 4.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.1
  5. 5.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.1
  6. 6.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.1
  7. 7.Active ListeningImportance 3.0
  8. 8.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.0
  9. 9.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Time ManagementImportance 3.0
  12. 12.Management of Personnel ResourcesImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • GNOME Gnutrition
  • IBM Lotus 1-2-3
  • Meals Plus
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • PCS Revenue Control Systems FASTRAK School Meal Software

Common tasks

  • 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.
  • Clean and inspect galley equipment, kitchen appliances, and work areas to ensure cleanliness and functional operation.
  • Clean, cut, and cook meat, fish, or poultry.
  • Direct activities of one or more workers who assist in preparing and serving meals.
  • Train new employees.
  • Take inventory of supplies and equipment.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other locations

Other occupations in Harrisburg, PA