National Salary Overview
VS
Chefs and Head Cooks earns $30,205 more (95.1%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$61,961
$31,756
Average (Mean) Salary
$65,188
$32,541
Total Employment
200,070
638,250
States with Higher Pay
51
0
Salary by State: Chefs and Head Cooks vs Cooks, Fast Food
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Chefs and Head Cooks pays more in 51 states; Cooks, Fast Food pays more in 0.
| State | Chefs and Head Cooks | Cooks, Fast Food | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $62,400 | $27,870 | +$34,530 | ||
| Alaska | $52,190 | $33,960 | +$18,230 | ||
| Arizona | $59,890 | $32,660 | +$27,230 | ||
| Arkansas | $46,170 | $27,710 | +$18,460 | ||
| California | $64,500 | $42,050 | +$22,450 | ||
| Colorado | $65,400 | $36,900 | +$28,500 | ||
| Connecticut | $64,310 | $34,980 | +$29,330 | ||
| Delaware | $61,440 | $31,840 | +$29,600 | ||
| District of Columbia | $76,420 | $44,670 | +$31,750 | ||
| Florida | $58,240 | $29,900 | +$28,340 | ||
| Georgia | $66,230 | $26,940 | +$39,290 | ||
| Hawaii | $77,360 | $48,120 | +$29,240 | ||
| Idaho | $52,000 | $31,070 | +$20,930 | ||
| Illinois | $58,830 | $34,960 | +$23,870 | ||
| Indiana | $52,190 | $29,870 | +$22,320 | ||
| Iowa | $47,990 | $28,510 | +$19,480 | ||
| Kansas | $58,390 | $28,640 | +$29,750 | ||
| Kentucky | $48,070 | $23,500 | +$24,570 | ||
| Louisiana | $45,570 | $24,960 | +$20,610 | ||
| Maine | $57,010 | $36,350 | +$20,660 | ||
| Maryland | $61,590 | $33,320 | +$28,270 | ||
| Massachusetts | $69,540 | $37,870 | +$31,670 | ||
| Michigan | $60,070 | $29,460 | +$30,610 | ||
| Minnesota | $62,600 | $34,120 | +$28,480 | ||
| Mississippi | $54,850 | $22,670 | +$32,180 | ||
| Missouri | $64,480 | $29,890 | +$34,590 | ||
| Montana | $57,470 | $26,770 | +$30,700 | ||
| Nebraska | $60,510 | $30,430 | +$30,080 | ||
| Nevada | $62,380 | $33,840 | +$28,540 | ||
| New Hampshire | $63,400 | $38,590 | +$24,810 | ||
| New Jersey | $74,280 | $32,220 | +$42,060 | ||
| New Mexico | $62,250 | $30,190 | +$32,060 | ||
| New York | $70,670 | $35,770 | +$34,900 | ||
| North Carolina | $61,130 | $27,190 | +$33,940 | ||
| North Dakota | $74,740 | $30,220 | +$44,520 | ||
| Ohio | $53,990 | $26,870 | +$27,120 | ||
| Oklahoma | $58,540 | $27,720 | +$30,820 | ||
| Oregon | $63,600 | $37,880 | +$25,720 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $63,860 | $28,810 | +$35,050 | ||
| Rhode Island | $79,930 | $35,230 | +$44,700 | ||
| South Carolina | $71,860 | $27,420 | +$44,440 | ||
| South Dakota | $48,470 | $30,950 | +$17,520 | ||
| Tennessee | $69,810 | $28,330 | +$41,480 | ||
| Texas | $56,080 | $28,280 | +$27,800 | ||
| Utah | $59,060 | $31,800 | +$27,260 | ||
| Vermont | $65,440 | $38,230 | +$27,210 | ||
| Virginia | $63,270 | $29,950 | +$33,320 | ||
| Washington | $76,010 | $39,120 | +$36,890 | ||
| West Virginia | $61,100 | $23,120 | +$37,980 | ||
| Wisconsin | $61,300 | $28,920 | +$32,380 | ||
| Wyoming | $73,170 | $28,950 | +$44,220 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Chefs and Head Cooks vs Cooks, Fast Food salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Chefs and Head Cooks or Cooks, Fast Food?
On average across all states, a Chefs and Head Cooks earns more than a Cooks, Fast Food. The national median salary difference is $30,205 (95.1%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks vs Cooks, Fast Food?
The national median salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks is $61,961 per year, compared to $31,756 for a Cooks, Fast Food, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Chefs and Head Cooks or Cooks, Fast Food?
There are more people employed as Cooks, Fast Food. BLS reports approximately 200,070 Chefs and Head Cooks positions and 638,250 Cooks, Fast Food positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Chefs and Head Cooks or Cooks, Fast Food?
Both Chefs and Head Cooks 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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