Minnesota / Direct Care and Treatment Department / Cook

Job-title file

Cook

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

17 employees hold this title in Direct Care and Treatment Department. Median total compensation for the role is $54,465, below the department median of $71,008.

Employees: 17
Total payroll: $872K
Role median: $54,465
Agency median: $71,008
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$1,915$63,900+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 17 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Cook pay vs. Minnesota

Across all employers in Minnesota, the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — about 7,890 people — is $43,460. Direct Care and Treatment Department pays a median base salary of $51,273 for this role, 18% above that figure — about the 88th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Direct Care and Treatment Department sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$35,520

$37,840

$43,460

$46,590

$52,140

Direct Care and Treatment Department median · $51,273

The bar is the range of annual wages for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria across every employer in Minnesota, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Direct Care and Treatment Department’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

And across the country

Nationwide, the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — about 441,050 people — is $37,450. Direct Care and Treatment Department’s median base salary is 37% above that national figure, above the 90th percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$28,480

$32,440

$37,450

$44,800

$49,670

Direct Care and Treatment Department median · $51,273

Local and national wages differ for reasons beyond how well a job pays — cost of living, the mix of employers, and local demand for the occupation all move the Minnesota range relative to the national one.

Computed over the 16 of 17 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Direct Care and Treatment Department is $54,465, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across Minnesota

Cook is held in 6 Minnesota departments. In Direct Care and Treatment Department, the median of $54,465 ranks #1 of 6.

Highest-paying departments for this role

MN St Colleges & Universities

$52,674 · 6

Human Services Department

$47,167 · 21

Veterans Affairs Department

$45,036 · 55

MN State Academies

$39,942 · 3

Natural Resources Department

$8,879 · 11

Median total compensation for the Cook role in other Minnesotadepartments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Compare jurisdictions

Cook beyond Minnesota

This role is reported in 20 jurisdictions. In Minnesota, the median of $47,360 ranks #7 of 20. See Cook across all of Minnesota →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

City and County of San Francisco

$121,457 · 38

Los Angeles County

$106,337 · 8

Massachusetts

$56,973 · 108

New York Public Authorities

$52,186 · 18

New York City

$51,280 · 94

Illinois

$48,700 · 115

Chicago Public Schools

$46,984 · 300

Texas

$42,923 · 368

Median total compensation for comparable Cookroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Todd Wolf

Cook/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$65,614

Sub-department: MSOP ML AM Kitchen
Base pay: $57,199
Overtime: $7,604
Other pay: $811
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $65,614
Hire date: 2024-02-14
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Carlton

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Todd Wolf works as a Cook for Direct Care and Treatment Department within Msop Ml Am Kitchen. They have served since 2024 (about a year) as a full-time employee. Todd earned $65,614 in 2025. They are represented by Service.

Kristoffer Ludvigsen

Cook/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$60,259

Sub-department: MSOP ML AM Kitchen
Base pay: $59,109
Overtime: $752
Other pay: $397
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,259
Hire date: 2007-10-08
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Carlton

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kristoffer Ludvigsen holds the role of Cook at Direct Care and Treatment Department within Msop Ml Am Kitchen. Their tenure dates to 2007, about 18 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $60,259. Union affiliation: Service.

Greg Mattson

Cook/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$57,194

Sub-department: MSOP ML PM Kitchen
Base pay: $55,975
Overtime: $507
Other pay: $712
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,194
Hire date: 2020-11-04
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Carlton

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Direct Care and Treatment Department, Greg Mattson serves as a Cook within Msop Ml Pm Kitchen. Their tenure dates to 2020, about 5 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $57,194. They are represented by Service.

Regina Preacely

Cook/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$56,728

Sub-department: MSOP ML PM Kitchen
Base pay: $52,428
Overtime: $464
Other pay: $3,837
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,728
Hire date: 2024-01-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Carlton

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Direct Care and Treatment Department, Regina Preacely serves as a Cook within Msop Ml Pm Kitchen. They have served since 2024 (about a year), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $56,728. They are represented by Service.

Bryce Antelope

Cook/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$56,292

Sub-department: Nutrition Services B
Base pay: $56,197
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $95
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,292
Hire date: 2022-04-13
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Nicollet

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Bryce Antelope works as a Cook for Direct Care and Treatment Department within Nutrition Services B. Their tenure dates to 2022, about 3 years as a full-time employee. Bryce earned $56,292 in 2025. Union affiliation: Service.

Ronald Hammer

Cook/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$56,072

Sub-department: MSOP ML AM Kitchen
Base pay: $55,444
Overtime: $231
Other pay: $397
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,072
Hire date: 2015-08-14
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Carlton

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Ronald Hammer works as a Cook for Direct Care and Treatment Department within Msop Ml Am Kitchen. Their tenure dates to 2015, about 10 years as a full-time employee. Ronald earned $56,072 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Service.

Lance Harju

Cook/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$55,300

Sub-department: MSOP ML AM Kitchen
Base pay: $53,791
Overtime: $1,084
Other pay: $425
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,300
Hire date: 2017-02-10
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Carlton

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Lance Harju holds the role of Cook at Direct Care and Treatment Department within Msop Ml Am Kitchen. Hired in 2017, they have about 8 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $55,300. Union affiliation: Service.

Gabriella Anderson

Cook/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$55,188

Sub-department: MSOP ML PM Kitchen
Base pay: $49,683
Overtime: $1,807
Other pay: $3,698
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,188
Hire date: 2024-05-08
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Carlton

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Gabriella Anderson works as a Cook for Direct Care and Treatment Department within Msop Ml Pm Kitchen. Their tenure dates to 2024, about a year as a full-time employee. Gabriella earned $55,188 in 2025. Union affiliation: Service.

David Macdonald

Cook/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$54,465

Sub-department: Nutrition Services B
Base pay: $53,610
Overtime: $768
Other pay: $87
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $54,465
Hire date: 2017-04-19
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Nicollet

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

David Macdonald is a Cook at Direct Care and Treatment Department within Nutrition Services B. They have served since 2017 (about 8 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $54,465. They are represented by Service.

Kristy Hren

Cook/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$52,835

Sub-department: MSOP ML PM Kitchen
Base pay: $50,118
Overtime: $371
Other pay: $2,346
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $52,835
Hire date: 2024-07-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Carlton

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Direct Care and Treatment Department, Kristy Hren serves as a Cook within Msop Ml Pm Kitchen. They have served since 2024 (about a year), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $52,835. Their bargaining unit is Service.

Austin Grover

Cook/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$51,721

Sub-department: MSOP ML AM Kitchen
Base pay: $49,699
Overtime: $355
Other pay: $1,667
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $51,721
Hire date: 2023-11-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Carlton

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Austin Grover holds the role of Cook at Direct Care and Treatment Department within Msop Ml Am Kitchen. Hired in 2023, they have about 2 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $51,721. They are represented by Service.

Mary Suomala

Cook/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$51,275

Sub-department: MSOP ML PM Kitchen
Base pay: $49,540
Overtime: $540
Other pay: $1,195
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $51,275
Hire date: 2018-01-24
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Carlton

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Mary Suomala holds the role of Cook at Direct Care and Treatment Department within Msop Ml Pm Kitchen. They have served since 2018 (about 7 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $51,275. Union affiliation: Service.

Maria Lowe

Cook/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$50,397

Sub-department: Nutrition Services B
Base pay: $47,731
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,666
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,397
Hire date: 2024-08-14
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Nicollet

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Maria Lowe holds the role of Cook at Direct Care and Treatment Department within Nutrition Services B. Their tenure dates to 2024, about a year as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $50,397. Their bargaining unit is Service.

Kyle Allen

Cook/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$49,768

Sub-department: Nutrition Services B
Base pay: $47,417
Overtime: $2,226
Other pay: $124
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $49,768
Hire date: 2020-02-19
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Nicollet

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kyle Allen is a Cook at Direct Care and Treatment Department within Nutrition Services B. Their tenure dates to 2020, about 5 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $49,768. Union affiliation: Service.

Leann Hanson

Cook/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$49,079

Sub-department: MSOP ML AM Kitchen
Base pay: $47,917
Overtime: $812
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $49,079
Hire date: 2015-02-20
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Carlton

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Leann Hanson is a Cook at Direct Care and Treatment Department within Msop Ml Am Kitchen. Hired in 2015, they have about 10 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $49,079. They are represented by Service.

Tucker Ulrich

Cook/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$47,948

Sub-department: Nutrition Services B
Base pay: $47,791
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $158
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,948
Hire date: 2023-05-10
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Nicollet

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Direct Care and Treatment Department, Tucker Ulrich serves as a Cook within Nutrition Services B. Hired in 2023, they have about 2 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $47,948. Their bargaining unit is Service.

Joshua Wirig

Cook/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$1,915

Sub-department: Nutrition Services B
Base pay: $1,915
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $1,915
Hire date: 2017-12-27
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Nicollet

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Joshua Wirig holds the role of Cook at Direct Care and Treatment Department within Nutrition Services B. They have served since 2017 (about 8 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $1,915. Their bargaining unit is Service.