Texas / Health and Human Services Commission / Cook II

Job-title file

Cook II

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

103 employees hold this title in Health and Human Services Commission. Median total compensation for the role is $40,104, below the department median of $50,368.

Employees: 103
Total payroll: $4M
Role median: $40,104
Agency median: $50,368
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$31,677$45,753+

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

How total compensation varies among the 103 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 II pay vs. Texas

Across all employers in Texas, the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — about 24,740 people — is $35,360. Health and Human Services Commission pays a median base salary of $40,859 for this role, 16% above that figure — about the 80th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Health and Human Services Commission sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$24,770

$29,170

$35,360

$38,910

$44,840

Health and Human Services Commission median · $40,859

The bar is the range of annual wages for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria across every employer in Texas, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Health and Human Services Commission’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. Health and Human Services Commission’s median base salary is 9% above that national figure, about the 62nd percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$28,480

$32,440

$37,450

$44,800

$49,670

Health and Human Services Commission median · $40,859

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 Texas range relative to the national one.

Computed over the 267 of 268 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 Health and Human Services Commission is $40,859, 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 Texas

Cook II is held in 7 Texas departments. In Health and Human Services Commission, the median of $40,104 ranks #4 of 7.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Texas Juvenile Justice Department

$46,667 · 52

Department of State Health Services

$42,996 · 1

Parks and Wildlife Department

$42,769 · 1

Texas Military Department

$40,000 · 1

Texas School for the Deaf

$39,588 · 2

Department of Public Safety

$38,040 · 6

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

Compare jurisdictions

Cook beyond Texas

This role is reported in 20 jurisdictions. In Texas, the median of $42,923 ranks #9 of 20. See Cook across all of Texas →

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

Minnesota

$47,360 · 113

Chicago Public Schools

$46,984 · 300

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 3

Vertina Allen

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2026 total comp

$36,453

Base pay: $36,453
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $36,453
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8118
Hire Date: Aug 1, 2024
Monthly Pay: $3,038
State Employee Number: 1723754

At Health and Human Services Commission, Vertina Allen serves as a Cook II. They work crf - classified regular full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $36,453.

Chelsea Desmond

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2026 total comp

$35,589

Base pay: $35,589
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,589
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8118
Hire Date: Jun 16, 2025
Monthly Pay: $2,966
State Employee Number: 985690

Chelsea Desmond holds the role of Cook II at Health and Human Services Commission. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $35,589.

Bryan Skiles

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2026 total comp

$35,459

Base pay: $35,459
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,459
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8118
Hire Date: Aug 26, 2024
Monthly Pay: $2,955
State Employee Number: 1731860

Bryan Skiles holds the role of Cook II at Health and Human Services Commission. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $35,459.

Precious Davis

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2026 total comp

$34,859

Base pay: $34,859
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,859
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8118
Hire Date: Jan 1, 2025
Monthly Pay: $2,905
State Employee Number: 311171

Precious Davis works as a Cook II for Health and Human Services Commission. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Precious earned $34,859 in 2026.

Julia Strickland

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2026 total comp

$34,859

Base pay: $34,859
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,859
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8118
Hire Date: Oct 1, 2024
Monthly Pay: $2,905
State Employee Number: 850886

Julia Strickland is a Cook II at Health and Human Services Commission. They work crf - classified regular full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $34,859.

Anna Deluna

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2026 total comp

$34,859

Base pay: $34,859
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,859
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8118
Hire Date: Nov 1, 2024
Monthly Pay: $2,905
State Employee Number: 1753509

At Health and Human Services Commission, Anna Deluna serves as a Cook II. They work crf - classified regular full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $34,859.

Cassie Lancaster

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2026 total comp

$34,859

Base pay: $34,859
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,859
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8118
Hire Date: Mar 1, 2025
Monthly Pay: $2,905
State Employee Number: 1773046

Cassie Lancaster works as a Cook II for Health and Human Services Commission. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Cassie earned $34,859 in 2026.

Justin Bookter

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2026 total comp

$34,859

Base pay: $34,859
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,859
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8118
Hire Date: Nov 1, 2025
Monthly Pay: $2,905
State Employee Number: 1805450

Justin Bookter works as a Cook II for Health and Human Services Commission. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Justin earned $34,859 in 2026.

James Butts

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2026 total comp

$34,859

Base pay: $34,859
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,859
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8118
Hire Date: Jan 16, 2026
Monthly Pay: $2,905
State Employee Number: 1831784

James Butts works as a Cook II for Health and Human Services Commission. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. James earned $34,859 in 2026.

Stella Carson

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2026 total comp

$34,859

Base pay: $34,859
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,859
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: H

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8118
Hire Date: Jul 16, 2025
Monthly Pay: $2,905
State Employee Number: 958728

Stella Carson holds the role of Cook II at Health and Human Services Commission. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $34,859.

Rathmony Chap

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2026 total comp

$34,859

Base pay: $34,859
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,859
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8118
Hire Date: Jun 1, 2025
Monthly Pay: $2,905
State Employee Number: 1784549

At Health and Human Services Commission, Rathmony Chap serves as a Cook II. They work crf - classified regular full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $34,859.

Christi Conner

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2026 total comp

$34,859

Base pay: $34,859
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,859
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8118
Hire Date: Jul 16, 2025
Monthly Pay: $2,905
State Employee Number: 1788222

Christi Conner holds the role of Cook II at Health and Human Services Commission. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $34,859.

Blanca Estrada

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2026 total comp

$34,859

Base pay: $34,859
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,859
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: I

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8118
Hire Date: Feb 17, 2026
Monthly Pay: $2,905
State Employee Number: 1834534

Blanca Estrada works as a Cook II for Health and Human Services Commission. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Blanca earned $34,859 in 2026.

Adrian Franklin

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2026 total comp

$34,859

Base pay: $34,859
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,859
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8118
Hire Date: Jul 16, 2025
Monthly Pay: $2,905
State Employee Number: 1788191

Adrian Franklin holds the role of Cook II at Health and Human Services Commission. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $34,859.

Gage Hoover

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2026 total comp

$34,859

Base pay: $34,859
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,859
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: Q

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8118
Hire Date: Apr 1, 2025
Monthly Pay: $2,905
State Employee Number: 1413151

Gage Hoover works as a Cook II for Health and Human Services Commission. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Gage earned $34,859 in 2026.

Mariann James

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2026 total comp

$34,859

Base pay: $34,859
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,859
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8118
Hire Date: Nov 1, 2025
Monthly Pay: $2,905
State Employee Number: 1805064

Mariann James is a Cook II at Health and Human Services Commission. They work crf - classified regular full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $34,859.

Shemeka Russell

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2026 total comp

$34,859

Base pay: $34,859
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,859
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8118
Hire Date: May 1, 2025
Monthly Pay: $2,905
State Employee Number: 115127

At Health and Human Services Commission, Shemeka Russell serves as a Cook II. They work crf - classified regular full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $34,859.

John Harris

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2025 total comp

$34,677

Base pay: $34,677
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,677
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 1606
Hire Date: Jun 12, 2023
Monthly Pay: $11,151
State Employee Number: 1642043

John Harris holds the role of Cook II at Health and Human Services Commission. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $34,677.

Pablo Ramirez Jr

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2025 total comp

$34,677

Base pay: $34,677
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,677
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8117
Hire Date: Oct 1, 2023
Monthly Pay: $2,890
State Employee Number: 1675831

At Health and Human Services Commission, Pablo Ramirez Jr serves as a Cook II. They work crf - classified regular full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $34,677.

Phillip Burklow

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2025 total comp

$34,677

Base pay: $34,677
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,677
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8117
Hire Date: Oct 16, 2023
Monthly Pay: $2,890
State Employee Number: 1676027

Phillip Burklow is a Cook II at Health and Human Services Commission. They work crf - classified regular full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $34,677.

Marcus Nowicki

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2025 total comp

$34,677

Base pay: $34,677
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,677
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8117
Hire Date: Nov 1, 2023
Monthly Pay: $2,890
State Employee Number: 1677668

Marcus Nowicki is a Cook II at Health and Human Services Commission. They work crf - classified regular full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $34,677.

Anthony Myrick

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2025 total comp

$34,677

Base pay: $34,677
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $34,677
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8117
Hire Date: Aug 26, 2024
Monthly Pay: $2,890
State Employee Number: 1728937

Anthony Myrick works as a Cook II for Health and Human Services Commission. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Anthony earned $34,677 in 2025.

Pauline De La Cruz

Cook II/Health and Human Services Commission

2025 total comp

$31,677

Base pay: $31,677
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $31,677
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 8117
Hire Date: Sep 10, 2024
Monthly Pay: $2,640
State Employee Number: 1566073

Pauline De La Cruz holds the role of Cook II at Health and Human Services Commission. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $31,677.