National Salary Overview
VS
Chefs and Head Cooks earns $28,086 more (82.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$33,875
$61,961
Average (Mean) Salary
$40,449
$65,188
Total Employment
756,380
200,070
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 | $27,980 | $62,400 | $-34,420 | ||
| Alaska | $30,460 | $52,190 | $-21,730 | ||
| Arizona | $45,070 | $59,890 | $-14,820 | ||
| Arkansas | $25,090 | $46,170 | $-21,080 | ||
| California | $36,220 | $64,500 | $-28,280 | ||
| Colorado | $38,170 | $65,400 | $-27,230 | ||
| Connecticut | $38,780 | $64,310 | $-25,530 | ||
| Delaware | $36,840 | $61,440 | $-24,600 | ||
| District of Columbia | $53,920 | $76,420 | $-22,500 | ||
| Florida | $35,150 | $58,240 | $-23,090 | ||
| Georgia | $22,830 | $66,230 | $-43,400 | ||
| Hawaii | $76,490 | $77,360 | $-870 | ||
| Idaho | $27,240 | $52,000 | $-24,760 | ||
| Illinois | $31,200 | $58,830 | $-27,630 | ||
| Indiana | $22,770 | $52,190 | $-29,420 | ||
| Iowa | $21,720 | $47,990 | $-26,270 | ||
| Kansas | $27,940 | $58,390 | $-30,450 | ||
| Kentucky | $28,780 | $48,070 | $-19,290 | ||
| Louisiana | $20,850 | $45,570 | $-24,720 | ||
| Maine | $48,920 | $57,010 | $-8,090 | ||
| Maryland | $37,580 | $61,590 | $-24,010 | ||
| Massachusetts | $37,440 | $69,540 | $-32,100 | ||
| Michigan | $36,780 | $60,070 | $-23,290 | ||
| Minnesota | $26,900 | $62,600 | $-35,700 | ||
| Mississippi | $28,320 | $54,850 | $-26,530 | ||
| Missouri | $30,090 | $64,480 | $-34,390 | ||
| Montana | $26,010 | $57,470 | $-31,460 | ||
| Nebraska | $30,180 | $60,510 | $-30,330 | ||
| Nevada | $27,460 | $62,380 | $-34,920 | ||
| New Hampshire | $28,800 | $63,400 | $-34,600 | ||
| New Jersey | $44,020 | $74,280 | $-30,260 | ||
| New Mexico | $36,980 | $62,250 | $-25,270 | ||
| New York | $61,210 | $70,670 | $-9,460 | ||
| North Carolina | $36,470 | $61,130 | $-24,660 | ||
| North Dakota | $29,040 | $74,740 | $-45,700 | ||
| Ohio | $30,880 | $53,990 | $-23,110 | ||
| Oklahoma | $24,790 | $58,540 | $-33,750 | ||
| Oregon | $38,900 | $63,600 | $-24,700 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $28,420 | $63,860 | $-35,440 | ||
| Rhode Island | $36,410 | $79,930 | $-43,520 | ||
| South Carolina | $19,370 | $71,860 | $-52,490 | ||
| South Dakota | $29,400 | $48,470 | $-19,070 | ||
| Tennessee | $27,480 | $69,810 | $-42,330 | ||
| Texas | $22,690 | $56,080 | $-33,390 | ||
| Utah | $32,150 | $59,060 | $-26,910 | ||
| Vermont | $45,450 | $65,440 | $-19,990 | ||
| Virginia | $47,070 | $63,270 | $-16,200 | ||
| Washington | $55,830 | $76,010 | $-20,180 | ||
| West Virginia | $29,630 | $61,100 | $-31,470 | ||
| Wisconsin | $23,460 | $61,300 | $-37,840 | ||
| Wyoming | $22,030 | $73,170 | $-51,140 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Bartenders vs Chefs and Head Cooks salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $28,086 (82.9%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Bartenders vs Chefs and Head Cooks?
The national median salary for a Bartenders is $33,875 per year, compared to $61,961 for a Chefs and Head Cooks, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Bartenders or Chefs and Head Cooks?
There are more people employed as Bartenders. BLS reports approximately 756,380 Bartenders positions and 200,070 Chefs and Head Cooks positions nationwide (2025).
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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