National Salary Overview
VS
Chefs and Head Cooks earns $25,669 more (82.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$56,965
$31,295
Average (Mean) Salary
$61,167
$32,435
Total Employment
172,350
879,610
States with Higher Pay
51
0
Salary by State: Chefs and Head Cooks vs Food Preparation Workers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Chefs and Head Cooks pays more in 51 states; Food Preparation Workers pays more in 0.
| State | Chefs and Head Cooks | Food Preparation Workers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $58,240 | $23,880 | +$34,360 | ||
| Alaska | $60,250 | $36,360 | +$23,890 | ||
| Arizona | $64,560 | $33,680 | +$30,880 | ||
| Arkansas | $46,380 | $28,850 | +$17,530 | ||
| California | $60,930 | $37,130 | +$23,800 | ||
| Colorado | $63,470 | $37,470 | +$26,000 | ||
| Connecticut | $60,570 | $34,690 | +$25,880 | ||
| Delaware | $51,550 | $30,080 | +$21,470 | ||
| District of Columbia | $69,410 | $37,630 | +$31,780 | ||
| Florida | $56,910 | $31,950 | +$24,960 | ||
| Georgia | $52,230 | $29,720 | +$22,510 | ||
| Hawaii | $94,030 | $36,360 | +$57,670 | ||
| Idaho | $45,600 | $28,970 | +$16,630 | ||
| Illinois | $61,420 | $31,660 | +$29,760 | ||
| Indiana | $51,440 | $30,030 | +$21,410 | ||
| Iowa | $41,790 | $28,700 | +$13,090 | ||
| Kansas | $53,760 | $28,790 | +$24,970 | ||
| Kentucky | $36,770 | $27,630 | +$9,140 | ||
| Louisiana | $45,100 | $22,390 | +$22,710 | ||
| Maine | $58,490 | $34,020 | +$24,470 | ||
| Maryland | $63,550 | $33,220 | +$30,330 | ||
| Massachusetts | $75,770 | $36,520 | +$39,250 | ||
| Michigan | $56,630 | $31,920 | +$24,710 | ||
| Minnesota | $57,440 | $33,810 | +$23,630 | ||
| Mississippi | $49,550 | $23,720 | +$25,830 | ||
| Missouri | $54,230 | $28,670 | +$25,560 | ||
| Montana | $48,890 | $29,550 | +$19,340 | ||
| Nebraska | $51,940 | $29,690 | +$22,250 | ||
| Nevada | $52,980 | $34,210 | +$18,770 | ||
| New Hampshire | $56,040 | $34,420 | +$21,620 | ||
| New Jersey | $65,000 | $34,670 | +$30,330 | ||
| New Mexico | $63,440 | $27,300 | +$36,140 | ||
| New York | $62,750 | $36,540 | +$26,210 | ||
| North Carolina | $57,940 | $27,820 | +$30,120 | ||
| North Dakota | $75,400 | $34,390 | +$41,010 | ||
| Ohio | $47,980 | $29,040 | +$18,940 | ||
| Oklahoma | $33,090 | $28,110 | +$4,980 | ||
| Oregon | $56,900 | $35,850 | +$21,050 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $60,200 | $28,640 | +$31,560 | ||
| Rhode Island | $75,590 | $30,700 | +$44,890 | ||
| South Carolina | $52,500 | $28,320 | +$24,180 | ||
| South Dakota | $46,260 | $28,260 | +$18,000 | ||
| Tennessee | $55,650 | $27,090 | +$28,560 | ||
| Texas | $48,560 | $28,890 | +$19,670 | ||
| Utah | $49,450 | $31,590 | +$17,860 | ||
| Vermont | $61,240 | $34,750 | +$26,490 | ||
| Virginia | $49,660 | $29,280 | +$20,380 | ||
| Washington | $67,140 | $40,390 | +$26,750 | ||
| West Virginia | $55,180 | $27,510 | +$27,670 | ||
| Wisconsin | $59,160 | $30,080 | +$29,080 | ||
| Wyoming | $62,220 | $31,140 | +$31,080 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Chefs and Head Cooks or Food Preparation Workers?
On average across all states, a Chefs and Head Cooks earns more than a Food Preparation Workers. The national median salary difference is $25,669 (82.0%) based on 2024 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks vs Food Preparation Workers?
The national median salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks is $56,965 per year, compared to $31,295 for a Food Preparation Workers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Chefs and Head Cooks or Food Preparation Workers?
There are more people employed as Food Preparation Workers. BLS reports approximately 172,350 Chefs and Head Cooks positions and 879,610 Food Preparation Workers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Chefs and Head Cooks or Food Preparation Workers?
Both Chefs and Head Cooks and Food Preparation Workers 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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