National Salary Overview
VS
Chefs and Head Cooks earns $27,457 more (79.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$61,961
$34,504
Average (Mean) Salary
$65,188
$35,344
Total Employment
200,070
132,800
States with Higher Pay
49
0
Salary by State: Chefs and Head Cooks vs Cooks, Short Order
Showing 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. Chefs and Head Cooks pays more in 49 states; Cooks, Short Order pays more in 0.
| State | Chefs and Head Cooks | Cooks, Short Order | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $62,400 | $22,330 | +$40,070 | ||
| Alaska | $52,190 | $37,780 | +$14,410 | ||
| Arizona | $59,890 | $46,630 | +$13,260 | ||
| Arkansas | $46,170 | $30,510 | +$15,660 | ||
| California | $64,500 | $42,930 | +$21,570 | ||
| Colorado | $65,400 | $42,450 | +$22,950 | ||
| Connecticut | $64,310 | $42,450 | +$21,860 | ||
| Delaware | $61,440 | $38,500 | +$22,940 | ||
| District of Columbia | $76,420 | $42,450 | +$33,970 | ||
| Florida | $58,240 | $34,240 | +$24,000 | ||
| Georgia | $66,230 | $26,870 | +$39,360 | ||
| Hawaii | $77,360 | $43,110 | +$34,250 | ||
| Idaho | $52,000 | $40,090 | +$11,910 | ||
| Illinois | $58,830 | $37,440 | +$21,390 | ||
| Indiana | $52,190 | $21,940 | +$30,250 | ||
| Iowa | $47,990 | $34,090 | +$13,900 | ||
| Kansas | $58,390 | $27,400 | +$30,990 | ||
| Kentucky | $48,070 | $31,840 | +$16,230 | ||
| Louisiana | $45,570 | $26,260 | +$19,310 | ||
| Maine | $57,010 | $35,360 | +$21,650 | ||
| Maryland | $61,590 | $36,800 | +$24,790 | ||
| Massachusetts | $69,540 | $44,290 | +$25,250 | ||
| Michigan | $60,070 | $34,510 | +$25,560 | ||
| Minnesota | $62,600 | $32,150 | +$30,450 | ||
| Mississippi | $54,850 | $28,180 | +$26,670 | ||
| Missouri | $64,480 | $38,490 | +$25,990 | ||
| Montana | $57,470 | $33,240 | +$24,230 | ||
| Nebraska | $60,510 | $30,530 | +$29,980 | ||
| Nevada | $62,380 | $37,780 | +$24,600 | ||
| New Hampshire | $63,400 | $32,330 | +$31,070 | ||
| New Jersey | $74,280 | $40,720 | +$33,560 | ||
| New Mexico | $62,250 | $37,150 | +$25,100 | ||
| New York | $70,670 | $35,550 | +$35,120 | ||
| North Carolina | $61,130 | $31,290 | +$29,840 | ||
| Ohio | $53,990 | $29,290 | +$24,700 | ||
| Oklahoma | $58,540 | $35,130 | +$23,410 | ||
| Oregon | $63,600 | $38,550 | +$25,050 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $63,860 | $19,910 | +$43,950 | ||
| Rhode Island | $79,930 | $46,250 | +$33,680 | ||
| South Carolina | $71,860 | $29,640 | +$42,220 | ||
| South Dakota | $48,470 | $32,380 | +$16,090 | ||
| Tennessee | $69,810 | $30,210 | +$39,600 | ||
| Texas | $56,080 | $25,320 | +$30,760 | ||
| Utah | $59,060 | $38,010 | +$21,050 | ||
| Vermont | $65,440 | $38,830 | +$26,610 | ||
| Virginia | $63,270 | $31,200 | +$32,070 | ||
| Washington | $76,010 | $42,760 | +$33,250 | ||
| West Virginia | $61,100 | $27,440 | +$33,660 | ||
| Wisconsin | $61,300 | $28,130 | +$33,170 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Chefs and Head Cooks vs Cooks, Short Order salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $27,457 (79.6%) based on 2025 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 $61,961 per year, compared to $34,504 for a Cooks, Short Order, according to 2025 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 200,070 Chefs and Head Cooks positions and 132,800 Cooks, Short Order positions nationwide (2025).
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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