Best cities for a cafeteria cook
The best cities for cafeteria cooks are Chandler, AZ, Tucson, AZ, and Phoenix, AZ, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for cafeteria cooks vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for cafeteria cooks in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a cafeteria cook or considering a move, this list of the best cities for cafeteria cooks to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for cafeteria cooks. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a cafeteria cook. While the absolute best city for cafeteria cooks is Chandler, AZ, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for cafeteria cooks in 2024.
If you're looking for a cafeteria cook job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for cafeteria cooks in 2025
1. Chandler, AZ
Total cafeteria cook jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $33,721 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $40,000 Location quotient: 2.56 2. Tucson, AZ
Total cafeteria cook jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $33,582 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $40,000 Location quotient: 4.49 3. Phoenix, AZ
Total cafeteria cook jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $33,760 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $40,000 Location quotient: 1.22 4. Reno, NV
Total cafeteria cook jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $34,747 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $41,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Las Vegas, NV
Total cafeteria cook jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $34,267 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $41,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Henderson, NV
Total cafeteria cook jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $34,238 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $41,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. North Las Vegas, NV
Total cafeteria cook jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $34,231 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $41,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Greensboro, NC
Total cafeteria cook jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $30,431 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $35,000 Location quotient: 3.33 9. Lincoln, NE
Total cafeteria cook jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $38,416 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Omaha, NE
Total cafeteria cook jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $38,415 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for cafeteria cooks
- Chandler, AZ
- Tucson, AZ
- Phoenix, AZ
- Reno, NV
- Las Vegas, NV
- Henderson, NV
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Greensboro, NC
- Lincoln, NE
- Omaha, NE
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Detailed list of the best cities for a cafeteria cook
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chandler, AZ | $33,721 | $28,000 | 247,477 | 1 |
| 2 | Tucson, AZ | $33,582 | $28,000 | 530,706 | 2 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $33,760 | $28,000 | 1,615,017 | 3 |
| 4 | Reno, NV | $34,747 | $28,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $34,267 | $28,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 6 | Henderson, NV | $34,238 | $28,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 7 | North Las Vegas, NV | $34,231 | $28,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 8 | Greensboro, NC | $30,431 | $26,000 | 287,027 | 1 |
| 9 | Lincoln, NE | $38,416 | $32,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 10 | Omaha, NE | $38,415 | $32,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 11 | Glendale, AZ | $33,779 | $28,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 12 | Pittsburgh, PA | $31,336 | $26,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 13 | Detroit, MI | $30,944 | $26,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 14 | Nashville, TN | $29,799 | $25,000 | 660,388 | 2 |
| 15 | Anchorage, AK | $37,672 | $33,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 16 | Scottsdale, AZ | $33,715 | $28,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 17 | Gilbert, AZ | $33,704 | $28,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 18 | Mesa, AZ | $33,696 | $28,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 19 | Boston, MA | $37,153 | $32,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 20 | Oklahoma City, OK | $30,196 | $25,000 | 638,367 | 1 |
| 21 | Philadelphia, PA | $31,945 | $27,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 22 | Durham, NC | $30,434 | $26,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 23 | Winston-Salem, NC | $30,428 | $26,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 24 | Raleigh, NC | $30,406 | $26,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 25 | Memphis, TN | $29,740 | $25,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 26 | Cleveland, OH | $29,065 | $24,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 27 | Charlotte, NC | $30,294 | $26,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 28 | Lexington, KY | $29,721 | $25,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 29 | Toledo, OH | $28,946 | $24,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 30 | Louisville, KY | $29,701 | $25,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 31 | Columbus, OH | $28,571 | $24,000 | 860,090 | 1 |
| 32 | Tulsa, OK | $30,005 | $25,000 | 403,090 | - |
| 33 | San Francisco, CA | $37,781 | $31,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 34 | Oakland, CA | $37,746 | $31,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 35 | Anaheim, CA | $37,227 | $30,000 | 351,043 | 1 |
| 36 | Baltimore, MD | $36,511 | $31,000 | 614,664 | - |
| 37 | Fremont, CA | $37,715 | $31,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 38 | Indianapolis, IN | $28,492 | $24,000 | 855,164 | 19 |
| 39 | San Jose, CA | $37,711 | $31,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 40 | Stockton, CA | $37,580 | $31,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 41 | Sacramento, CA | $37,561 | $31,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 42 | Cincinnati, OH | $28,309 | $24,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 43 | Fort Wayne, IN | $28,818 | $24,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 44 | Fresno, CA | $37,413 | $31,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 45 | Bakersfield, CA | $37,358 | $31,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 46 | Los Angeles, CA | $37,304 | $31,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 47 | San Diego, CA | $37,074 | $30,000 | 1,406,630 | 5 |
| 48 | Saint Paul, MN | $31,218 | $26,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 49 | Long Beach, CA | $37,270 | $31,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 50 | Portland, OR | $32,466 | $26,000 | 639,863 | 1 |
Highest paying cities for cafeteria cooks
| Rank | City | Avg. cafeteria cook salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Falmouth, MA | $37,274 |
| 2 | Whittier, CA | $37,242 |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $34,267 |
| 4 | Portland, OR | $32,466 |
| 5 | Bethlehem, PA | $32,038 |
| 6 | Westminster, CO | $31,525 |
| 7 | Winchester, VA | $31,206 |
| 8 | Salisbury, NC | $30,363 |
| 9 | Bessemer, AL | $30,130 |
| 10 | Strongsville, OH | $29,004 |
| 11 | Renton, WA | $28,809 |
| 12 | Bridgewater, NJ | $28,734 |
| 13 | Indianapolis, IN | $28,492 |
| 14 | Mason City, IA | $27,684 |
| 15 | Key West, FL | $27,460 |
| 16 | Austin, TX | $27,089 |
| 17 | Naperville, IL | $26,329 |
| 18 | New Orleans, LA | $23,942 |
Cafeteria cook best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025