National Salary Overview
VS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Median Salary
$38,684
Average (Mean)
$39,489
Employed Nationwide
441,040
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns $4,808 more (14.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$33,875
$38,684
Average (Mean) Salary
$40,449
$39,489
Total Employment
756,380
441,040
States with Higher Pay
11
40
Salary by State: Bartenders vs Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Bartenders pays more in 11 states; Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pays more in 40.
| State | Bartenders | Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,980 | $27,120 | +$860 | ||
| Alaska | $30,460 | $48,580 | $-18,120 | ||
| Arizona | $45,070 | $39,660 | +$5,410 | ||
| Arkansas | $25,090 | $30,240 | $-5,150 | ||
| California | $36,220 | $46,390 | $-10,170 | ||
| Colorado | $38,170 | $42,500 | $-4,330 | ||
| Connecticut | $38,780 | $46,120 | $-7,340 | ||
| Delaware | $36,840 | $44,080 | $-7,240 | ||
| District of Columbia | $53,920 | $45,450 | +$8,470 | ||
| Florida | $35,150 | $36,250 | $-1,100 | ||
| Georgia | $22,830 | $35,090 | $-12,260 | ||
| Hawaii | $76,490 | $47,770 | +$28,720 | ||
| Idaho | $27,240 | $35,600 | $-8,360 | ||
| Illinois | $31,200 | $37,440 | $-6,240 | ||
| Indiana | $22,770 | $35,980 | $-13,210 | ||
| Iowa | $21,720 | $35,810 | $-14,090 | ||
| Kansas | $27,940 | $31,950 | $-4,010 | ||
| Kentucky | $28,780 | $31,550 | $-2,770 | ||
| Louisiana | $20,850 | $25,490 | $-4,640 | ||
| Maine | $48,920 | $43,490 | +$5,430 | ||
| Maryland | $37,580 | $41,380 | $-3,800 | ||
| Massachusetts | $37,440 | $47,790 | $-10,350 | ||
| Michigan | $36,780 | $36,870 | $-90 | ||
| Minnesota | $26,900 | $43,460 | $-16,560 | ||
| Mississippi | $28,320 | $27,390 | +$930 | ||
| Missouri | $30,090 | $34,900 | $-4,810 | ||
| Montana | $26,010 | $37,150 | $-11,140 | ||
| Nebraska | $30,180 | $36,390 | $-6,210 | ||
| Nevada | $27,460 | $39,430 | $-11,970 | ||
| New Hampshire | $28,800 | $45,370 | $-16,570 | ||
| New Jersey | $44,020 | $44,520 | $-500 | ||
| New Mexico | $36,980 | $36,470 | +$510 | ||
| New York | $61,210 | $45,880 | +$15,330 | ||
| North Carolina | $36,470 | $36,140 | +$330 | ||
| North Dakota | $29,040 | $39,490 | $-10,450 | ||
| Ohio | $30,880 | $36,720 | $-5,840 | ||
| Oklahoma | $24,790 | $29,270 | $-4,480 | ||
| Oregon | $38,900 | $44,520 | $-5,620 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $28,420 | $36,540 | $-8,120 | ||
| Rhode Island | $36,410 | $46,570 | $-10,160 | ||
| South Carolina | $19,370 | $34,960 | $-15,590 | ||
| South Dakota | $29,400 | $36,730 | $-7,330 | ||
| Tennessee | $27,480 | $35,570 | $-8,090 | ||
| Texas | $22,690 | $35,360 | $-12,670 | ||
| Utah | $32,150 | $38,200 | $-6,050 | ||
| Vermont | $45,450 | $46,370 | $-920 | ||
| Virginia | $47,070 | $37,890 | +$9,180 | ||
| Washington | $55,830 | $49,670 | +$6,160 | ||
| West Virginia | $29,630 | $29,740 | $-110 | ||
| Wisconsin | $23,460 | $38,650 | $-15,190 | ||
| Wyoming | $22,030 | $36,940 | $-14,910 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Bartenders vs Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Bartenders or Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns more than a Bartenders. The national median salary difference is $4,808 (14.2%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Bartenders earn more than a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
A Bartenders earns a higher median salary than a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in 11 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pays more in 40 states.
What is the median salary for a Bartenders vs Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
The national median salary for a Bartenders is $33,875 per year, compared to $38,684 for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Bartenders or Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
There are more people employed as Bartenders. BLS reports approximately 756,380 Bartenders positions and 441,040 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Bartenders or Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
Both Bartenders and Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria 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.
Explore Career Options
Build My Resume Get Certified & Earn More Find Remote & Flexible Jobs Learn a New LanguageCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.