← Hospitality, Food & Personal Services
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
SOC 35-2012 · Hospitality, Food & Personal Services
jobs in Hamilton County, 2026
estimated openings each year
median pay in Hamilton County
projected job growth
Source: Lightcast Q1 2026 occupation snapshot, Hamilton County, IN.
What this job pays in the Indianapolis area
Half of workers earn more than the median, half earn less. The range below runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
| Point in the range | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,640 | $14.25 |
| 25th percentile | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Median (middle) | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| 75th percentile | $38,680 | $18.60 |
| 90th percentile | $45,590 | $21.92 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release, Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood MSA. These are metro figures; BLS does not publish a Hamilton County wage by occupation. "Not published" means the federal source suppressed or top-coded that value.
What you need to get started
Most common education: A high school diploma or GED.
How much preparation: Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma and a few months of learning on the job.
Source: O*NET 30.2 database, U.S. Department of Labor (pinned vintage; survey rows dated 2021 to 2024).
Local training that can get you there
- The Pursuit Institute (TPI)
K-12 CTE
K-12 CTE consortium serving all 6 Hamilton County school corps. 9 career pathways, 15 TPI-managed programs, 450+ courses. Advanced manufacturing, healthcare, business/finance, education, agriculture, info tech, hospitality, engineering. - InvestOnward
Workforce Training
Workforce training and re-entry support. Entry-level trades, construction, logistics, manufacturing, hospitality, customer service. - InvestAbility
Disability Workforce
Supported employment for individuals with disabilities: cross-cutting across entry-level service, admin, retail, and production roles. - Re-Entry Workforce Initiative
Justice-Involved Workforce
Workforce re-entry for individuals exiting jail, in SUD recovery, or under Community Corrections supervision. Funded by Hamilton County Commissioners + Council.
Source: IHC program registry, curated April 2026. Programs decide their own eligibility and enrollment.
Where does this leave you?
Reading about a job is one thing. Whether you can get it, what it would pay you, and who near you hires for it are another. Pick whichever of these is true and we will work it out.
The first prices your experience and shows everywhere it could take you. The second shows the jobs people hold before moving into this one. Both are free and neither asks for a CV.