National Salary Overview
VS
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median Salary
$33,726
Average (Mean)
$34,997
Employed Nationwide
293,910
Chefs and Head Cooks earns $28,235 more (83.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$61,961
$33,726
Average (Mean) Salary
$65,188
$34,997
Total Employment
200,070
293,910
States with Higher Pay
51
0
Salary by State: Chefs and Head Cooks vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Chefs and Head Cooks pays more in 51 states; Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 0.
| State | Chefs and Head Cooks | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $62,400 | $29,000 | +$33,400 | ||
| Alaska | $52,190 | $38,090 | +$14,100 | ||
| Arizona | $59,890 | $35,390 | +$24,500 | ||
| Arkansas | $46,170 | $27,600 | +$18,570 | ||
| California | $64,500 | $39,010 | +$25,490 | ||
| Colorado | $65,400 | $38,900 | +$26,500 | ||
| Connecticut | $64,310 | $35,950 | +$28,360 | ||
| Delaware | $61,440 | $31,430 | +$30,010 | ||
| District of Columbia | $76,420 | $37,920 | +$38,500 | ||
| Florida | $58,240 | $33,930 | +$24,310 | ||
| Georgia | $66,230 | $31,530 | +$34,700 | ||
| Hawaii | $77,360 | $37,920 | +$39,440 | ||
| Idaho | $52,000 | $34,220 | +$17,780 | ||
| Illinois | $58,830 | $35,080 | +$23,750 | ||
| Indiana | $52,190 | $31,840 | +$20,350 | ||
| Iowa | $47,990 | $30,110 | +$17,880 | ||
| Kansas | $58,390 | $29,040 | +$29,350 | ||
| Kentucky | $48,070 | $32,200 | +$15,870 | ||
| Louisiana | $45,570 | $27,200 | +$18,370 | ||
| Maine | $57,010 | $37,680 | +$19,330 | ||
| Maryland | $61,590 | $36,650 | +$24,940 | ||
| Massachusetts | $69,540 | $36,750 | +$32,790 | ||
| Michigan | $60,070 | $34,260 | +$25,810 | ||
| Minnesota | $62,600 | $36,000 | +$26,600 | ||
| Mississippi | $54,850 | $27,250 | +$27,600 | ||
| Missouri | $64,480 | $31,840 | +$32,640 | ||
| Montana | $57,470 | $32,090 | +$25,380 | ||
| Nebraska | $60,510 | $31,540 | +$28,970 | ||
| Nevada | $62,380 | $36,030 | +$26,350 | ||
| New Hampshire | $63,400 | $36,710 | +$26,690 | ||
| New Jersey | $74,280 | $36,390 | +$37,890 | ||
| New Mexico | $62,250 | $35,740 | +$26,510 | ||
| New York | $70,670 | $39,370 | +$31,300 | ||
| North Carolina | $61,130 | $31,460 | +$29,670 | ||
| North Dakota | $74,740 | $36,910 | +$37,830 | ||
| Ohio | $53,990 | $30,440 | +$23,550 | ||
| Oklahoma | $58,540 | $28,490 | +$30,050 | ||
| Oregon | $63,600 | $36,620 | +$26,980 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $63,860 | $33,300 | +$30,560 | ||
| Rhode Island | $79,930 | $34,860 | +$45,070 | ||
| South Carolina | $71,860 | $31,740 | +$40,120 | ||
| South Dakota | $48,470 | $31,980 | +$16,490 | ||
| Tennessee | $69,810 | $30,670 | +$39,140 | ||
| Texas | $56,080 | $29,300 | +$26,780 | ||
| Utah | $59,060 | $30,170 | +$28,890 | ||
| Vermont | $65,440 | $37,540 | +$27,900 | ||
| Virginia | $63,270 | $35,090 | +$28,180 | ||
| Washington | $76,010 | $38,870 | +$37,140 | ||
| West Virginia | $61,100 | $30,170 | +$30,930 | ||
| Wisconsin | $61,300 | $34,670 | +$26,630 | ||
| Wyoming | $73,170 | $33,090 | +$40,080 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Chefs and Head Cooks vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Chefs and Head Cooks or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
On average across all states, a Chefs and Head Cooks earns more than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant. The national median salary difference is $28,235 (83.7%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
The national median salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks is $61,961 per year, compared to $33,726 for a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Chefs and Head Cooks or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
There are more people employed as Food Servers, Nonrestaurant. BLS reports approximately 200,070 Chefs and Head Cooks positions and 293,910 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Chefs and Head Cooks or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
Both Chefs and Head Cooks and Food Servers, Nonrestaurant 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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