National Salary Overview
VS
Cooks, Short Order earns $629 more (1.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$33,875
$34,504
Average (Mean) Salary
$40,449
$35,344
Total Employment
756,380
132,800
States with Higher Pay
20
29
Salary by State: Bartenders vs Cooks, Short Order
Showing 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. Bartenders pays more in 20 states; Cooks, Short Order pays more in 29.
| State | Bartenders | Cooks, Short Order | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,980 | $22,330 | +$5,650 | ||
| Alaska | $30,460 | $37,780 | $-7,320 | ||
| Arizona | $45,070 | $46,630 | $-1,560 | ||
| Arkansas | $25,090 | $30,510 | $-5,420 | ||
| California | $36,220 | $42,930 | $-6,710 | ||
| Colorado | $38,170 | $42,450 | $-4,280 | ||
| Connecticut | $38,780 | $42,450 | $-3,670 | ||
| Delaware | $36,840 | $38,500 | $-1,660 | ||
| District of Columbia | $53,920 | $42,450 | +$11,470 | ||
| Florida | $35,150 | $34,240 | +$910 | ||
| Georgia | $22,830 | $26,870 | $-4,040 | ||
| Hawaii | $76,490 | $43,110 | +$33,380 | ||
| Idaho | $27,240 | $40,090 | $-12,850 | ||
| Illinois | $31,200 | $37,440 | $-6,240 | ||
| Indiana | $22,770 | $21,940 | +$830 | ||
| Iowa | $21,720 | $34,090 | $-12,370 | ||
| Kansas | $27,940 | $27,400 | +$540 | ||
| Kentucky | $28,780 | $31,840 | $-3,060 | ||
| Louisiana | $20,850 | $26,260 | $-5,410 | ||
| Maine | $48,920 | $35,360 | +$13,560 | ||
| Maryland | $37,580 | $36,800 | +$780 | ||
| Massachusetts | $37,440 | $44,290 | $-6,850 | ||
| Michigan | $36,780 | $34,510 | +$2,270 | ||
| Minnesota | $26,900 | $32,150 | $-5,250 | ||
| Mississippi | $28,320 | $28,180 | +$140 | ||
| Missouri | $30,090 | $38,490 | $-8,400 | ||
| Montana | $26,010 | $33,240 | $-7,230 | ||
| Nebraska | $30,180 | $30,530 | $-350 | ||
| Nevada | $27,460 | $37,780 | $-10,320 | ||
| New Hampshire | $28,800 | $32,330 | $-3,530 | ||
| New Jersey | $44,020 | $40,720 | +$3,300 | ||
| New Mexico | $36,980 | $37,150 | $-170 | ||
| New York | $61,210 | $35,550 | +$25,660 | ||
| North Carolina | $36,470 | $31,290 | +$5,180 | ||
| Ohio | $30,880 | $29,290 | +$1,590 | ||
| Oklahoma | $24,790 | $35,130 | $-10,340 | ||
| Oregon | $38,900 | $38,550 | +$350 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $28,420 | $19,910 | +$8,510 | ||
| Rhode Island | $36,410 | $46,250 | $-9,840 | ||
| South Carolina | $19,370 | $29,640 | $-10,270 | ||
| South Dakota | $29,400 | $32,380 | $-2,980 | ||
| Tennessee | $27,480 | $30,210 | $-2,730 | ||
| Texas | $22,690 | $25,320 | $-2,630 | ||
| Utah | $32,150 | $38,010 | $-5,860 | ||
| Vermont | $45,450 | $38,830 | +$6,620 | ||
| Virginia | $47,070 | $31,200 | +$15,870 | ||
| Washington | $55,830 | $42,760 | +$13,070 | ||
| West Virginia | $29,630 | $27,440 | +$2,190 | ||
| Wisconsin | $23,460 | $28,130 | $-4,670 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Bartenders vs Cooks, Short Order salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Bartenders or Cooks, Short Order?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Short Order earns more than a Bartenders. The national median salary difference is $629 (1.9%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Bartenders earn more than a Cooks, Short Order?
A Bartenders earns a higher median salary than a Cooks, Short Order in 20 out of 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Cooks, Short Order pays more in 29 states.
What is the median salary for a Bartenders vs Cooks, Short Order?
The national median salary for a Bartenders is $33,875 per year, compared to $34,504 for a Cooks, Short Order, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Bartenders or Cooks, Short Order?
There are more people employed as Bartenders. BLS reports approximately 756,380 Bartenders positions and 132,800 Cooks, Short Order positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Bartenders or Cooks, Short Order?
Both Bartenders and Cooks, Short Order 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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