National Salary Overview
VS
Chefs and Head Cooks earns $24,916 more (77.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$56,965
$32,049
Average (Mean) Salary
$61,167
$33,244
Total Employment
172,350
122,980
States with Higher Pay
50
0
Salary by State: Chefs and Head Cooks vs Cooks, Short Order
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Chefs and Head Cooks pays more in 50 states; Cooks, Short Order pays more in 0.
| State | Chefs and Head Cooks | Cooks, Short Order | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $58,240 | $24,480 | +$33,760 | ||
| Alaska | $60,250 | $37,970 | +$22,280 | ||
| Arizona | $64,560 | $35,610 | +$28,950 | ||
| Arkansas | $46,380 | $26,740 | +$19,640 | ||
| California | $60,930 | $37,590 | +$23,340 | ||
| Colorado | $63,470 | $34,980 | +$28,490 | ||
| Connecticut | $60,570 | $37,860 | +$22,710 | ||
| Delaware | $51,550 | $29,000 | +$22,550 | ||
| District of Columbia | $69,410 | $37,010 | +$32,400 | ||
| Florida | $56,910 | $31,940 | +$24,970 | ||
| Georgia | $52,230 | $31,940 | +$20,290 | ||
| Hawaii | $94,030 | $41,610 | +$52,420 | ||
| Idaho | $45,600 | $29,470 | +$16,130 | ||
| Illinois | $61,420 | $33,700 | +$27,720 | ||
| Indiana | $51,440 | $28,860 | +$22,580 | ||
| Iowa | $41,790 | $29,580 | +$12,210 | ||
| Kansas | $53,760 | $31,110 | +$22,650 | ||
| Kentucky | $36,770 | $30,880 | +$5,890 | ||
| Louisiana | $45,100 | $22,900 | +$22,200 | ||
| Maine | $58,490 | $36,920 | +$21,570 | ||
| Maryland | $63,550 | $33,980 | +$29,570 | ||
| Massachusetts | $75,770 | $39,890 | +$35,880 | ||
| Michigan | $56,630 | $28,110 | +$28,520 | ||
| Minnesota | $57,440 | $35,450 | +$21,990 | ||
| Mississippi | $49,550 | $25,020 | +$24,530 | ||
| Missouri | $54,230 | $28,630 | +$25,600 | ||
| Montana | $48,890 | $28,180 | +$20,710 | ||
| Nebraska | $51,940 | $33,960 | +$17,980 | ||
| Nevada | $52,980 | $40,620 | +$12,360 | ||
| New Hampshire | $56,040 | $30,920 | +$25,120 | ||
| New Jersey | $65,000 | $33,430 | +$31,570 | ||
| New Mexico | $63,440 | $30,940 | +$32,500 | ||
| New York | $62,750 | $36,680 | +$26,070 | ||
| North Carolina | $57,940 | $24,810 | +$33,130 | ||
| North Dakota | $75,400 | $37,700 | +$37,700 | ||
| Ohio | $47,980 | $27,300 | +$20,680 | ||
| Oklahoma | $33,090 | $29,640 | +$3,450 | ||
| Oregon | $56,900 | $35,800 | +$21,100 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $60,200 | $28,660 | +$31,540 | ||
| South Carolina | $52,500 | $29,810 | +$22,690 | ||
| South Dakota | $46,260 | $30,240 | +$16,020 | ||
| Tennessee | $55,650 | $30,160 | +$25,490 | ||
| Texas | $48,560 | $28,520 | +$20,040 | ||
| Utah | $49,450 | $29,990 | +$19,460 | ||
| Vermont | $61,240 | $37,250 | +$23,990 | ||
| Virginia | $49,660 | $30,120 | +$19,540 | ||
| Washington | $67,140 | $43,230 | +$23,910 | ||
| West Virginia | $55,180 | $22,510 | +$32,670 | ||
| Wisconsin | $59,160 | $28,820 | +$30,340 | ||
| Wyoming | $62,220 | $31,940 | +$30,280 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Chefs and Head Cooks or Cooks, Short Order?
On average across all states, a Chefs and Head Cooks earns more than a Cooks, Short Order. The national median salary difference is $24,916 (77.7%) based on 2024 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks vs Cooks, Short Order?
The national median salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks is $56,965 per year, compared to $32,049 for a Cooks, Short Order, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Chefs and Head Cooks or Cooks, Short Order?
There are more people employed as Chefs and Head Cooks. BLS reports approximately 172,350 Chefs and Head Cooks positions and 122,980 Cooks, Short Order positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Chefs and Head Cooks or Cooks, Short Order?
Both Chefs and Head Cooks 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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