National Salary Overview
VS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Median Salary
$35,762
Average (Mean)
$36,750
Employed Nationwide
435,630
Chefs and Head Cooks earns $21,203 more (59.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$56,965
$35,762
Average (Mean) Salary
$61,167
$36,750
Total Employment
172,350
435,630
States with Higher Pay
51
0
Salary by State: Chefs and Head Cooks vs Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Chefs and Head Cooks pays more in 51 states; Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pays more in 0.
| State | Chefs and Head Cooks | Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $58,240 | $23,600 | +$34,640 | ||
| Alaska | $60,250 | $45,520 | +$14,730 | ||
| Arizona | $64,560 | $37,910 | +$26,650 | ||
| Arkansas | $46,380 | $28,580 | +$17,800 | ||
| California | $60,930 | $44,940 | +$15,990 | ||
| Colorado | $63,470 | $38,410 | +$25,060 | ||
| Connecticut | $60,570 | $44,820 | +$15,750 | ||
| Delaware | $51,550 | $41,940 | +$9,610 | ||
| District of Columbia | $69,410 | $43,200 | +$26,210 | ||
| Florida | $56,910 | $34,390 | +$22,520 | ||
| Georgia | $52,230 | $33,310 | +$18,920 | ||
| Hawaii | $94,030 | $43,490 | +$50,540 | ||
| Idaho | $45,600 | $32,550 | +$13,050 | ||
| Illinois | $61,420 | $35,560 | +$25,860 | ||
| Indiana | $51,440 | $32,130 | +$19,310 | ||
| Iowa | $41,790 | $32,930 | +$8,860 | ||
| Kansas | $53,760 | $29,630 | +$24,130 | ||
| Kentucky | $36,770 | $29,490 | +$7,280 | ||
| Louisiana | $45,100 | $27,940 | +$17,160 | ||
| Maine | $58,490 | $37,950 | +$20,540 | ||
| Maryland | $63,550 | $38,330 | +$25,220 | ||
| Massachusetts | $75,770 | $46,390 | +$29,380 | ||
| Michigan | $56,630 | $34,120 | +$22,510 | ||
| Minnesota | $57,440 | $38,910 | +$18,530 | ||
| Mississippi | $49,550 | $22,970 | +$26,580 | ||
| Missouri | $54,230 | $29,150 | +$25,080 | ||
| Montana | $48,890 | $34,940 | +$13,950 | ||
| Nebraska | $51,940 | $33,680 | +$18,260 | ||
| Nevada | $52,980 | $37,900 | +$15,080 | ||
| New Hampshire | $56,040 | $39,840 | +$16,200 | ||
| New Jersey | $65,000 | $42,160 | +$22,840 | ||
| New Mexico | $63,440 | $31,870 | +$31,570 | ||
| New York | $62,750 | $40,910 | +$21,840 | ||
| North Carolina | $57,940 | $33,630 | +$24,310 | ||
| North Dakota | $75,400 | $37,340 | +$38,060 | ||
| Ohio | $47,980 | $35,110 | +$12,870 | ||
| Oklahoma | $33,090 | $27,300 | +$5,790 | ||
| Oregon | $56,900 | $39,390 | +$17,510 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $60,200 | $35,990 | +$24,210 | ||
| Rhode Island | $75,590 | $44,220 | +$31,370 | ||
| South Carolina | $52,500 | $30,120 | +$22,380 | ||
| South Dakota | $46,260 | $33,980 | +$12,280 | ||
| Tennessee | $55,650 | $29,990 | +$25,660 | ||
| Texas | $48,560 | $31,320 | +$17,240 | ||
| Utah | $49,450 | $36,410 | +$13,040 | ||
| Vermont | $61,240 | $37,140 | +$24,100 | ||
| Virginia | $49,660 | $36,320 | +$13,340 | ||
| Washington | $67,140 | $46,610 | +$20,530 | ||
| West Virginia | $55,180 | $28,440 | +$26,740 | ||
| Wisconsin | $59,160 | $36,230 | +$22,930 | ||
| Wyoming | $62,220 | $34,870 | +$27,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Chefs and Head Cooks or Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
On average across all states, a Chefs and Head Cooks earns more than a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria. The national median salary difference is $21,203 (59.3%) based on 2024 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks vs Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
The national median salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks is $56,965 per year, compared to $35,762 for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Chefs and Head Cooks or Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
There are more people employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria. BLS reports approximately 172,350 Chefs and Head Cooks positions and 435,630 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Chefs and Head Cooks or Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
Both Chefs and Head Cooks 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.
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