Minnesota / Human Services Department / Cook

Job-title file

Cook

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

21 employees hold this title in Human Services Department. Median total compensation for the role is $47,167, below the department median of $78,085.

Employees: 21
Total payroll: $857.6K
Role median: $47,167
Agency median: $78,085
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$5,495$57,927+

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

How total compensation varies among the 21 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. Human Services Department pays a median base salary of $45,649 for this role, 5% above that figure — about the 67th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Human Services Department sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$35,520

$37,840

$43,460

$46,590

$52,140

Human Services Department median · $45,649

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 Human Services 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. Human Services Department’s median base salary is 22% above that national figure, about the 78th percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$28,480

$32,440

$37,450

$44,800

$49,670

Human Services Department median · $45,649

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 17 of 21 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 Human Services Department is $47,167, 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 Human Services Department, the median of $47,167 ranks #3 of 6.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Direct Care and Treatment Department

$54,465 · 17

MN St Colleges & Universities

$52,674 · 6

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

Greg Mattson

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$58,951

Sub-department: MSOP ML AM Kitchen
Base pay: $56,651
Overtime: $1,069
Other pay: $1,230
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,951
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, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Greg Mattson works as a Cook for Human Services Department within Msop Ml Am Kitchen. Their tenure dates to 2020, about 4 years as a full-time employee. Greg earned $58,951 in 2024. They are represented by Service.

Kristoffer Ludvigsen

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$56,393

Sub-department: MSOP ML AM Kitchen
Base pay: $54,337
Overtime: $1,133
Other pay: $923
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,393
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, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kristoffer Ludvigsen is a Cook at Human Services Department within Msop Ml Am Kitchen. Hired in 2007, they have about 17 years of service, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $56,393. They are represented by Service.

Lance Harju

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$54,500

Sub-department: MSOP ML AM Kitchen
Base pay: $49,034
Overtime: $4,652
Other pay: $814
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $54,500
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, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Human Services Department, Lance Harju serves as a Cook within Msop Ml Am Kitchen. They have served since 2017 (about 7 years), working full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $54,500. Their bargaining unit is Service.

Nelson Lund

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$53,591

Sub-department: Nutrition Services B
Base pay: $53,207
Overtime: $311
Other pay: $72
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $53,591
Hire date: 2021-11-03
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, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Human Services Department, Nelson Lund serves as a Cook within Nutrition Services B. They have served since 2021 (about 3 years), working full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $53,591. Union affiliation: Service.

David Macdonald

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$51,290

Sub-department: Nutrition Services B
Base pay: $50,872
Overtime: $357
Other pay: $61
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $51,290
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, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Human Services Department, David Macdonald serves as a Cook within Nutrition Services B. Their tenure dates to 2017, about 7 years, working full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $51,290. They are represented by Service.

Bryce Antelope

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$50,950

Sub-department: Nutrition Services B
Base pay: $50,871
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $79
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,950
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, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: H55
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 Human Services Department within Nutrition Services B. They have served since 2022 (about 2 years) as a full-time employee. Bryce earned $50,950 in 2024. They are represented by Service.

Jennifer Cebulla

Cook/Human Services Department

2025 total comp

$50,744

Sub-department: MSOP ML PM Kitchen
Base pay: $44,249
Overtime: $3,050
Other pay: $3,444
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,744
Hire date: 2018-10-17
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: No
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Jennifer Cebulla is a Cook at Human Services Department within Msop Ml Pm Kitchen. Hired in 2018, they have about 7 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $50,744. Their bargaining unit is Service.

Victor Cerritos

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$48,612

Sub-department: Nutrition Services B
Base pay: $47,295
Overtime: $629
Other pay: $688
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $48,612
Hire date: 2015-12-16
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, 2024: No
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Victor Cerritos holds the role of Cook at Human Services Department within Nutrition Services B. Hired in 2015, they have about 9 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $48,612. Union affiliation: Service.

Leann Hanson

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$48,599

Sub-department: MSOP ML AM Kitchen
Base pay: $45,649
Overtime: $2,130
Other pay: $819
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $48,599
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, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Leann Hanson works as a Cook for Human Services Department within Msop Ml Am Kitchen. Hired in 2015, they have about 9 years of service as a full-time employee. Leann earned $48,599 in 2024. Union affiliation: Service.

Amanda Heald

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$47,650

Sub-department: Nutrition Services B
Base pay: $46,224
Overtime: $364
Other pay: $1,062
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,650
Hire date: 2019-06-12
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, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Amanda Heald holds the role of Cook at Human Services Department within Nutrition Services B. Hired in 2019, they have about 5 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $47,650. Their bargaining unit is Service.

Tucker Ulrich

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$47,167

Sub-department: Nutrition Services B
Base pay: $44,530
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,638
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,167
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, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Tucker Ulrich is a Cook at Human Services Department within Nutrition Services B. Their tenure dates to 2023, about a year, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $47,167. They are represented by Service.

Mary Suomala

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$47,070

Sub-department: MSOP ML PM Kitchen
Base pay: $45,516
Overtime: $87
Other pay: $1,467
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,070
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, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Mary Suomala works as a Cook for Human Services Department within Msop Ml Pm Kitchen. They have served since 2018 (about 6 years) as a full-time employee. Mary earned $47,070 in 2024. Union affiliation: Service.

Ronald Hammer

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$46,261

Sub-department: MSOP ML AM Kitchen
Base pay: $45,408
Overtime: $496
Other pay: $358
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $46,261
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, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Ronald Hammer is a Cook at Human Services Department within Msop Ml Am Kitchen. Hired in 2015, they have about 9 years of service, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $46,261. Union affiliation: Service.

Kyle Allen

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$45,855

Sub-department: Nutrition Services B
Base pay: $43,883
Overtime: $1,856
Other pay: $116
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,855
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, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kyle Allen holds the role of Cook at Human Services Department within Nutrition Services B. Hired in 2020, they have about 4 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $45,855. Their bargaining unit is Service.

Melissa Ritchie

Cook/Human Services Department

2025 total comp

$44,522

Sub-department: MSOP ML AM Kitchen
Base pay: $37,206
Overtime: $4,815
Other pay: $2,502
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,522
Hire date: 2014-04-28
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: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Melissa Ritchie works as a Cook for Human Services Department within Msop Ml Am Kitchen. They have served since 2014 (about 11 years) as a full-time employee. Melissa earned $44,522 in 2025. Union affiliation: Service.

Austin Grover

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$33,466

Sub-department: MSOP ML AM Kitchen
Base pay: $29,917
Overtime: $1,947
Other pay: $1,602
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $33,466
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, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Austin Grover works as a Cook for Human Services Department within Msop Ml Am Kitchen. Hired in 2023, they have about a year of service as a full-time employee. Austin earned $33,466 in 2024. Union affiliation: Service.

Debra Simons

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$32,063

Sub-department: Dietary
Base pay: $31,457
Overtime: $110
Other pay: $496
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $32,063
Hire date: 1979-01-31
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 62
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Anoka

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: No
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Debra Simons works as a Cook for Human Services Department within Dietary. Hired in 1979, they have about 45 years of service as a full-time employee. Debra earned $32,063 in 2024. They are represented by Service.

Regina Preacely

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$20,849

Sub-department: MSOP ML PM Kitchen
Base pay: $20,390
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $459
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $20,849
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, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Regina Preacely is a Cook at Human Services Department within Msop Ml Pm Kitchen. Hired in 2024, they have under a year of service, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $20,849. Their bargaining unit is Service.

Lenora Wicklander

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$7,872

Sub-department: MSOP ML AM Kitchen
Base pay: $7,605
Overtime: $91
Other pay: $176
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $7,872
Hire date: 2023-05-10
Employment type: Part-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, 2024: No
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Human Services Department, Lenora Wicklander serves as a Cook within Msop Ml Am Kitchen. Hired in 2023, they have about a year of service, working part-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $7,872. Union affiliation: Service.

Gabriella Anderson

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$5,673

Sub-department: MSOP ML AM Kitchen
Base pay: $5,477
Overtime: $91
Other pay: $105
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $5,673
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, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Gabriella Anderson is a Cook at Human Services Department within Msop Ml Am Kitchen. Hired in 2024, they have under a year of service, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $5,673. Union affiliation: Service.

Kodi Lowe

Cook/Human Services Department

2024 total comp

$5,495

Sub-department: Nutrition Services B
Base pay: $5,477
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $18
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $5,495
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: Nicollet

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: H55
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kodi Lowe is a Cook at Human Services Department within Nutrition Services B. Their tenure dates to 2024, under a year, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $5,495. Their bargaining unit is Service.