National Salary Overview
VS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Median Salary
$38,684
Average (Mean)
$39,489
Employed Nationwide
441,040
Chefs and Head Cooks earns $23,277 more (60.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$61,961
$38,684
Average (Mean) Salary
$65,188
$39,489
Total Employment
200,070
441,040
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 | $62,400 | $27,120 | +$35,280 | ||
| Alaska | $52,190 | $48,580 | +$3,610 | ||
| Arizona | $59,890 | $39,660 | +$20,230 | ||
| Arkansas | $46,170 | $30,240 | +$15,930 | ||
| California | $64,500 | $46,390 | +$18,110 | ||
| Colorado | $65,400 | $42,500 | +$22,900 | ||
| Connecticut | $64,310 | $46,120 | +$18,190 | ||
| Delaware | $61,440 | $44,080 | +$17,360 | ||
| District of Columbia | $76,420 | $45,450 | +$30,970 | ||
| Florida | $58,240 | $36,250 | +$21,990 | ||
| Georgia | $66,230 | $35,090 | +$31,140 | ||
| Hawaii | $77,360 | $47,770 | +$29,590 | ||
| Idaho | $52,000 | $35,600 | +$16,400 | ||
| Illinois | $58,830 | $37,440 | +$21,390 | ||
| Indiana | $52,190 | $35,980 | +$16,210 | ||
| Iowa | $47,990 | $35,810 | +$12,180 | ||
| Kansas | $58,390 | $31,950 | +$26,440 | ||
| Kentucky | $48,070 | $31,550 | +$16,520 | ||
| Louisiana | $45,570 | $25,490 | +$20,080 | ||
| Maine | $57,010 | $43,490 | +$13,520 | ||
| Maryland | $61,590 | $41,380 | +$20,210 | ||
| Massachusetts | $69,540 | $47,790 | +$21,750 | ||
| Michigan | $60,070 | $36,870 | +$23,200 | ||
| Minnesota | $62,600 | $43,460 | +$19,140 | ||
| Mississippi | $54,850 | $27,390 | +$27,460 | ||
| Missouri | $64,480 | $34,900 | +$29,580 | ||
| Montana | $57,470 | $37,150 | +$20,320 | ||
| Nebraska | $60,510 | $36,390 | +$24,120 | ||
| Nevada | $62,380 | $39,430 | +$22,950 | ||
| New Hampshire | $63,400 | $45,370 | +$18,030 | ||
| New Jersey | $74,280 | $44,520 | +$29,760 | ||
| New Mexico | $62,250 | $36,470 | +$25,780 | ||
| New York | $70,670 | $45,880 | +$24,790 | ||
| North Carolina | $61,130 | $36,140 | +$24,990 | ||
| North Dakota | $74,740 | $39,490 | +$35,250 | ||
| Ohio | $53,990 | $36,720 | +$17,270 | ||
| Oklahoma | $58,540 | $29,270 | +$29,270 | ||
| Oregon | $63,600 | $44,520 | +$19,080 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $63,860 | $36,540 | +$27,320 | ||
| Rhode Island | $79,930 | $46,570 | +$33,360 | ||
| South Carolina | $71,860 | $34,960 | +$36,900 | ||
| South Dakota | $48,470 | $36,730 | +$11,740 | ||
| Tennessee | $69,810 | $35,570 | +$34,240 | ||
| Texas | $56,080 | $35,360 | +$20,720 | ||
| Utah | $59,060 | $38,200 | +$20,860 | ||
| Vermont | $65,440 | $46,370 | +$19,070 | ||
| Virginia | $63,270 | $37,890 | +$25,380 | ||
| Washington | $76,010 | $49,670 | +$26,340 | ||
| West Virginia | $61,100 | $29,740 | +$31,360 | ||
| Wisconsin | $61,300 | $38,650 | +$22,650 | ||
| Wyoming | $73,170 | $36,940 | +$36,230 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Chefs and Head Cooks vs Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $23,277 (60.2%) based on 2025 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 $61,961 per year, compared to $38,684 for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria, according to 2025 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 200,070 Chefs and Head Cooks positions and 441,040 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions nationwide (2025).
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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