National Salary Overview
VS
Chefs and Head Cooks earns $26,888 more (89.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$30,077
$56,965
Average (Mean) Salary
$36,127
$61,167
Total Employment
711,100
172,350
States with Higher Pay
0
51
Salary by State: Bartenders vs Chefs and Head Cooks
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Bartenders pays more in 0 states; Chefs and Head Cooks pays more in 51.
| State | Bartenders | Chefs and Head Cooks | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $20,840 | $58,240 | $-37,400 | ||
| Alaska | $27,840 | $60,250 | $-32,410 | ||
| Arizona | $44,390 | $64,560 | $-20,170 | ||
| Arkansas | $28,890 | $46,380 | $-17,490 | ||
| California | $34,700 | $60,930 | $-26,230 | ||
| Colorado | $30,980 | $63,470 | $-32,490 | ||
| Connecticut | $32,500 | $60,570 | $-28,070 | ||
| Delaware | $29,010 | $51,550 | $-22,540 | ||
| District of Columbia | $47,210 | $69,410 | $-22,200 | ||
| Florida | $29,910 | $56,910 | $-27,000 | ||
| Georgia | $27,850 | $52,230 | $-24,380 | ||
| Hawaii | $55,940 | $94,030 | $-38,090 | ||
| Idaho | $22,960 | $45,600 | $-22,640 | ||
| Illinois | $29,660 | $61,420 | $-31,760 | ||
| Indiana | $22,550 | $51,440 | $-28,890 | ||
| Iowa | $21,770 | $41,790 | $-20,020 | ||
| Kansas | $26,790 | $53,760 | $-26,970 | ||
| Kentucky | $29,140 | $36,770 | $-7,630 | ||
| Louisiana | $20,700 | $45,100 | $-24,400 | ||
| Maine | $34,950 | $58,490 | $-23,540 | ||
| Maryland | $34,860 | $63,550 | $-28,690 | ||
| Massachusetts | $34,970 | $75,770 | $-40,800 | ||
| Michigan | $31,010 | $56,630 | $-25,620 | ||
| Minnesota | $26,330 | $57,440 | $-31,110 | ||
| Mississippi | $21,500 | $49,550 | $-28,050 | ||
| Missouri | $28,210 | $54,230 | $-26,020 | ||
| Montana | $21,880 | $48,890 | $-27,010 | ||
| Nebraska | $27,040 | $51,940 | $-24,900 | ||
| Nevada | $28,860 | $52,980 | $-24,120 | ||
| New Hampshire | $27,610 | $56,040 | $-28,430 | ||
| New Jersey | $38,230 | $65,000 | $-26,770 | ||
| New Mexico | $28,580 | $63,440 | $-34,860 | ||
| New York | $45,980 | $62,750 | $-16,770 | ||
| North Carolina | $33,160 | $57,940 | $-24,780 | ||
| North Dakota | $27,970 | $75,400 | $-47,430 | ||
| Ohio | $27,440 | $47,980 | $-20,540 | ||
| Oklahoma | $20,590 | $33,090 | $-12,500 | ||
| Oregon | $30,810 | $56,900 | $-26,090 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $22,740 | $60,200 | $-37,460 | ||
| Rhode Island | $28,600 | $75,590 | $-46,990 | ||
| South Carolina | $18,610 | $52,500 | $-33,890 | ||
| South Dakota | $28,380 | $46,260 | $-17,880 | ||
| Tennessee | $22,000 | $55,650 | $-33,650 | ||
| Texas | $27,520 | $48,560 | $-21,040 | ||
| Utah | $33,280 | $49,450 | $-16,170 | ||
| Vermont | $35,530 | $61,240 | $-25,710 | ||
| Virginia | $42,850 | $49,660 | $-6,810 | ||
| Washington | $48,570 | $67,140 | $-18,570 | ||
| West Virginia | $27,960 | $55,180 | $-27,220 | ||
| Wisconsin | $22,660 | $59,160 | $-36,500 | ||
| Wyoming | $21,620 | $62,220 | $-40,600 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Bartenders or Chefs and Head Cooks?
On average across all states, a Chefs and Head Cooks earns more than a Bartenders. The national median salary difference is $26,888 (89.4%) based on 2024 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Bartenders vs Chefs and Head Cooks?
The national median salary for a Bartenders is $30,077 per year, compared to $56,965 for a Chefs and Head Cooks, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Bartenders or Chefs and Head Cooks?
There are more people employed as Bartenders. BLS reports approximately 711,100 Bartenders positions and 172,350 Chefs and Head Cooks positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Bartenders or Chefs and Head Cooks?
Both Bartenders and Chefs and Head Cooks are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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