National Salary Overview
VS
Chefs and Head Cooks earns $28,366 more (84.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$61,961
$33,595
Average (Mean) Salary
$65,188
$34,727
Total Employment
200,070
893,600
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 | $62,400 | $27,930 | +$34,470 | ||
| Alaska | $52,190 | $35,720 | +$16,470 | ||
| Arizona | $59,890 | $36,750 | +$23,140 | ||
| Arkansas | $46,170 | $27,660 | +$18,510 | ||
| California | $64,500 | $39,350 | +$25,150 | ||
| Colorado | $65,400 | $38,960 | +$26,440 | ||
| Connecticut | $64,310 | $36,650 | +$27,660 | ||
| Delaware | $61,440 | $35,930 | +$25,510 | ||
| District of Columbia | $76,420 | $39,600 | +$36,820 | ||
| Florida | $58,240 | $35,920 | +$22,320 | ||
| Georgia | $66,230 | $35,250 | +$30,980 | ||
| Hawaii | $77,360 | $38,160 | +$39,200 | ||
| Idaho | $52,000 | $31,510 | +$20,490 | ||
| Illinois | $58,830 | $34,850 | +$23,980 | ||
| Indiana | $52,190 | $29,700 | +$22,490 | ||
| Iowa | $47,990 | $30,360 | +$17,630 | ||
| Kansas | $58,390 | $30,280 | +$28,110 | ||
| Kentucky | $48,070 | $26,850 | +$21,220 | ||
| Louisiana | $45,570 | $23,620 | +$21,950 | ||
| Maine | $57,010 | $36,030 | +$20,980 | ||
| Maryland | $61,590 | $35,500 | +$26,090 | ||
| Massachusetts | $69,540 | $38,900 | +$30,640 | ||
| Michigan | $60,070 | $31,180 | +$28,890 | ||
| Minnesota | $62,600 | $34,850 | +$27,750 | ||
| Mississippi | $54,850 | $26,240 | +$28,610 | ||
| Missouri | $64,480 | $31,510 | +$32,970 | ||
| Montana | $57,470 | $33,860 | +$23,610 | ||
| Nebraska | $60,510 | $35,210 | +$25,300 | ||
| Nevada | $62,380 | $33,460 | +$28,920 | ||
| New Hampshire | $63,400 | $36,780 | +$26,620 | ||
| New Jersey | $74,280 | $35,540 | +$38,740 | ||
| New Mexico | $62,250 | $33,370 | +$28,880 | ||
| New York | $70,670 | $35,610 | +$35,060 | ||
| North Carolina | $61,130 | $30,260 | +$30,870 | ||
| North Dakota | $74,740 | $36,800 | +$37,940 | ||
| Ohio | $53,990 | $34,530 | +$19,460 | ||
| Oklahoma | $58,540 | $28,540 | +$30,000 | ||
| Oregon | $63,600 | $37,450 | +$26,150 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $63,860 | $30,840 | +$33,020 | ||
| Rhode Island | $79,930 | $35,470 | +$44,460 | ||
| South Carolina | $71,860 | $32,180 | +$39,680 | ||
| South Dakota | $48,470 | $30,430 | +$18,040 | ||
| Tennessee | $69,810 | $28,700 | +$41,110 | ||
| Texas | $56,080 | $30,650 | +$25,430 | ||
| Utah | $59,060 | $33,540 | +$25,520 | ||
| Vermont | $65,440 | $36,550 | +$28,890 | ||
| Virginia | $63,270 | $34,900 | +$28,370 | ||
| Washington | $76,010 | $40,910 | +$35,100 | ||
| West Virginia | $61,100 | $28,360 | +$32,740 | ||
| Wisconsin | $61,300 | $34,070 | +$27,230 | ||
| Wyoming | $73,170 | $36,110 | +$37,060 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Chefs and Head Cooks vs Food Preparation Workers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $28,366 (84.4%) based on 2025 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 $61,961 per year, compared to $33,595 for a Food Preparation Workers, according to 2025 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 200,070 Chefs and Head Cooks positions and 893,600 Food Preparation Workers positions nationwide (2025).
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.
Explore Career Options
Build My Resume Get Certified & Earn More Find Remote & Flexible Jobs Learn a New LanguageCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.