National Salary Overview
VS
Bartenders earns $2,119 more (6.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$33,875
$31,756
Average (Mean) Salary
$40,449
$32,541
Total Employment
756,380
638,250
States with Higher Pay
26
25
Salary by State: Bartenders vs Cooks, Fast Food
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Bartenders pays more in 26 states; Cooks, Fast Food pays more in 25.
| State | Bartenders | Cooks, Fast Food | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,980 | $27,870 | +$110 | ||
| Alaska | $30,460 | $33,960 | $-3,500 | ||
| Arizona | $45,070 | $32,660 | +$12,410 | ||
| Arkansas | $25,090 | $27,710 | $-2,620 | ||
| California | $36,220 | $42,050 | $-5,830 | ||
| Colorado | $38,170 | $36,900 | +$1,270 | ||
| Connecticut | $38,780 | $34,980 | +$3,800 | ||
| Delaware | $36,840 | $31,840 | +$5,000 | ||
| District of Columbia | $53,920 | $44,670 | +$9,250 | ||
| Florida | $35,150 | $29,900 | +$5,250 | ||
| Georgia | $22,830 | $26,940 | $-4,110 | ||
| Hawaii | $76,490 | $48,120 | +$28,370 | ||
| Idaho | $27,240 | $31,070 | $-3,830 | ||
| Illinois | $31,200 | $34,960 | $-3,760 | ||
| Indiana | $22,770 | $29,870 | $-7,100 | ||
| Iowa | $21,720 | $28,510 | $-6,790 | ||
| Kansas | $27,940 | $28,640 | $-700 | ||
| Kentucky | $28,780 | $23,500 | +$5,280 | ||
| Louisiana | $20,850 | $24,960 | $-4,110 | ||
| Maine | $48,920 | $36,350 | +$12,570 | ||
| Maryland | $37,580 | $33,320 | +$4,260 | ||
| Massachusetts | $37,440 | $37,870 | $-430 | ||
| Michigan | $36,780 | $29,460 | +$7,320 | ||
| Minnesota | $26,900 | $34,120 | $-7,220 | ||
| Mississippi | $28,320 | $22,670 | +$5,650 | ||
| Missouri | $30,090 | $29,890 | +$200 | ||
| Montana | $26,010 | $26,770 | $-760 | ||
| Nebraska | $30,180 | $30,430 | $-250 | ||
| Nevada | $27,460 | $33,840 | $-6,380 | ||
| New Hampshire | $28,800 | $38,590 | $-9,790 | ||
| New Jersey | $44,020 | $32,220 | +$11,800 | ||
| New Mexico | $36,980 | $30,190 | +$6,790 | ||
| New York | $61,210 | $35,770 | +$25,440 | ||
| North Carolina | $36,470 | $27,190 | +$9,280 | ||
| North Dakota | $29,040 | $30,220 | $-1,180 | ||
| Ohio | $30,880 | $26,870 | +$4,010 | ||
| Oklahoma | $24,790 | $27,720 | $-2,930 | ||
| Oregon | $38,900 | $37,880 | +$1,020 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $28,420 | $28,810 | $-390 | ||
| Rhode Island | $36,410 | $35,230 | +$1,180 | ||
| South Carolina | $19,370 | $27,420 | $-8,050 | ||
| South Dakota | $29,400 | $30,950 | $-1,550 | ||
| Tennessee | $27,480 | $28,330 | $-850 | ||
| Texas | $22,690 | $28,280 | $-5,590 | ||
| Utah | $32,150 | $31,800 | +$350 | ||
| Vermont | $45,450 | $38,230 | +$7,220 | ||
| Virginia | $47,070 | $29,950 | +$17,120 | ||
| Washington | $55,830 | $39,120 | +$16,710 | ||
| West Virginia | $29,630 | $23,120 | +$6,510 | ||
| Wisconsin | $23,460 | $28,920 | $-5,460 | ||
| Wyoming | $22,030 | $28,950 | $-6,920 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Bartenders vs Cooks, Fast Food salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Bartenders or Cooks, Fast Food?
On average across all states, a Bartenders earns more than a Cooks, Fast Food. The national median salary difference is $2,119 (6.7%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Bartenders earn more than a Cooks, Fast Food?
A Bartenders earns a higher median salary than a Cooks, Fast Food in 26 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Cooks, Fast Food pays more in 25 states.
What is the median salary for a Bartenders vs Cooks, Fast Food?
The national median salary for a Bartenders is $33,875 per year, compared to $31,756 for a Cooks, Fast Food, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Bartenders or Cooks, Fast Food?
There are more people employed as Bartenders. BLS reports approximately 756,380 Bartenders positions and 638,250 Cooks, Fast Food positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Bartenders or Cooks, Fast Food?
Both Bartenders and Cooks, Fast Food 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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