National Salary Overview
VS
Cooks, Restaurant earns $3,807 more (11.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$33,875
$37,683
Average (Mean) Salary
$40,449
$38,385
Total Employment
756,380
1,409,810
States with Higher Pay
12
39
Salary by State: Bartenders vs Cooks, Restaurant
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Bartenders pays more in 12 states; Cooks, Restaurant pays more in 39.
| State | Bartenders | Cooks, Restaurant | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,980 | $32,180 | $-4,200 | ||
| Alaska | $30,460 | $40,140 | $-9,680 | ||
| Arizona | $45,070 | $38,670 | +$6,400 | ||
| Arkansas | $25,090 | $30,180 | $-5,090 | ||
| California | $36,220 | $44,880 | $-8,660 | ||
| Colorado | $38,170 | $41,600 | $-3,430 | ||
| Connecticut | $38,780 | $39,480 | $-700 | ||
| Delaware | $36,840 | $37,840 | $-1,000 | ||
| District of Columbia | $53,920 | $46,130 | +$7,790 | ||
| Florida | $35,150 | $37,020 | $-1,870 | ||
| Georgia | $22,830 | $35,940 | $-13,110 | ||
| Hawaii | $76,490 | $45,420 | +$31,070 | ||
| Idaho | $27,240 | $36,440 | $-9,200 | ||
| Illinois | $31,200 | $37,580 | $-6,380 | ||
| Indiana | $22,770 | $35,170 | $-12,400 | ||
| Iowa | $21,720 | $35,670 | $-13,950 | ||
| Kansas | $27,940 | $35,130 | $-7,190 | ||
| Kentucky | $28,780 | $34,640 | $-5,860 | ||
| Louisiana | $20,850 | $29,050 | $-8,200 | ||
| Maine | $48,920 | $45,290 | +$3,630 | ||
| Maryland | $37,580 | $37,820 | $-240 | ||
| Massachusetts | $37,440 | $45,600 | $-8,160 | ||
| Michigan | $36,780 | $36,980 | $-200 | ||
| Minnesota | $26,900 | $38,590 | $-11,690 | ||
| Mississippi | $28,320 | $29,560 | $-1,240 | ||
| Missouri | $30,090 | $36,940 | $-6,850 | ||
| Montana | $26,010 | $38,060 | $-12,050 | ||
| Nebraska | $30,180 | $37,030 | $-6,850 | ||
| Nevada | $27,460 | $38,610 | $-11,150 | ||
| New Hampshire | $28,800 | $40,200 | $-11,400 | ||
| New Jersey | $44,020 | $38,460 | +$5,560 | ||
| New Mexico | $36,980 | $35,020 | +$1,960 | ||
| New York | $61,210 | $43,680 | +$17,530 | ||
| North Carolina | $36,470 | $35,400 | +$1,070 | ||
| North Dakota | $29,040 | $36,470 | $-7,430 | ||
| Ohio | $30,880 | $35,540 | $-4,660 | ||
| Oklahoma | $24,790 | $31,720 | $-6,930 | ||
| Oregon | $38,900 | $43,100 | $-4,200 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $28,420 | $36,580 | $-8,160 | ||
| Rhode Island | $36,410 | $36,510 | $-100 | ||
| South Carolina | $19,370 | $35,740 | $-16,370 | ||
| South Dakota | $29,400 | $36,220 | $-6,820 | ||
| Tennessee | $27,480 | $36,420 | $-8,940 | ||
| Texas | $22,690 | $34,760 | $-12,070 | ||
| Utah | $32,150 | $36,490 | $-4,340 | ||
| Vermont | $45,450 | $45,390 | +$60 | ||
| Virginia | $47,070 | $36,750 | +$10,320 | ||
| Washington | $55,830 | $46,800 | +$9,030 | ||
| West Virginia | $29,630 | $29,590 | +$40 | ||
| Wisconsin | $23,460 | $36,550 | $-13,090 | ||
| Wyoming | $22,030 | $36,830 | $-14,800 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Bartenders vs Cooks, Restaurant salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Bartenders or Cooks, Restaurant?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Restaurant earns more than a Bartenders. The national median salary difference is $3,807 (11.2%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Bartenders earn more than a Cooks, Restaurant?
A Bartenders earns a higher median salary than a Cooks, Restaurant in 12 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Cooks, Restaurant pays more in 39 states.
What is the median salary for a Bartenders vs Cooks, Restaurant?
The national median salary for a Bartenders is $33,875 per year, compared to $37,683 for a Cooks, Restaurant, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Bartenders or Cooks, Restaurant?
There are more people employed as Cooks, Restaurant. BLS reports approximately 756,380 Bartenders positions and 1,409,810 Cooks, Restaurant positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Bartenders or Cooks, Restaurant?
Both Bartenders and Cooks, Restaurant 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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