National Salary Overview
VS
Chefs and Head Cooks earns $26,881 more (89.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$56,965
$30,083
Average (Mean) Salary
$61,167
$35,911
Total Employment
172,350
2,237,890
States with Higher Pay
51
0
Salary by State: Chefs and Head Cooks vs Waiters and Waitresses
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Chefs and Head Cooks pays more in 51 states; Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 0.
| State | Chefs and Head Cooks | Waiters and Waitresses | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $58,240 | $20,210 | +$38,030 | ||
| Alaska | $60,250 | $26,610 | +$33,640 | ||
| Arizona | $64,560 | $43,780 | +$20,780 | ||
| Arkansas | $46,380 | $26,160 | +$20,220 | ||
| California | $60,930 | $34,780 | +$26,150 | ||
| Colorado | $63,470 | $33,020 | +$30,450 | ||
| Connecticut | $60,570 | $35,530 | +$25,040 | ||
| Delaware | $51,550 | $28,150 | +$23,400 | ||
| District of Columbia | $69,410 | $37,390 | +$32,020 | ||
| Florida | $56,910 | $29,940 | +$26,970 | ||
| Georgia | $52,230 | $23,030 | +$29,200 | ||
| Hawaii | $94,030 | $28,180 | +$65,850 | ||
| Idaho | $45,600 | $29,710 | +$15,890 | ||
| Illinois | $61,420 | $28,030 | +$33,390 | ||
| Indiana | $51,440 | $23,990 | +$27,450 | ||
| Iowa | $41,790 | $27,000 | +$14,790 | ||
| Kansas | $53,760 | $30,520 | +$23,240 | ||
| Kentucky | $36,770 | $21,360 | +$15,410 | ||
| Louisiana | $45,100 | $22,230 | +$22,870 | ||
| Maine | $58,490 | $37,920 | +$20,570 | ||
| Maryland | $63,550 | $33,760 | +$29,790 | ||
| Massachusetts | $75,770 | $35,070 | +$40,700 | ||
| Michigan | $56,630 | $35,400 | +$21,230 | ||
| Minnesota | $57,440 | $23,850 | +$33,590 | ||
| Mississippi | $49,550 | $20,330 | +$29,220 | ||
| Missouri | $54,230 | $33,010 | +$21,220 | ||
| Montana | $48,890 | $20,990 | +$27,900 | ||
| Nebraska | $51,940 | $30,120 | +$21,820 | ||
| Nevada | $52,980 | $24,960 | +$28,020 | ||
| New Hampshire | $56,040 | $34,730 | +$21,310 | ||
| New Jersey | $65,000 | $37,270 | +$27,730 | ||
| New Mexico | $63,440 | $30,350 | +$33,090 | ||
| New York | $62,750 | $41,540 | +$21,210 | ||
| North Carolina | $57,940 | $21,060 | +$36,880 | ||
| North Dakota | $75,400 | $29,540 | +$45,860 | ||
| Ohio | $47,980 | $28,950 | +$19,030 | ||
| Oklahoma | $33,090 | $19,140 | +$13,950 | ||
| Oregon | $56,900 | $31,110 | +$25,790 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $60,200 | $29,710 | +$30,490 | ||
| Rhode Island | $75,590 | $31,940 | +$43,650 | ||
| South Carolina | $52,500 | $18,680 | +$33,820 | ||
| South Dakota | $46,260 | $28,000 | +$18,260 | ||
| Tennessee | $55,650 | $27,060 | +$28,590 | ||
| Texas | $48,560 | $27,030 | +$21,530 | ||
| Utah | $49,450 | $31,860 | +$17,590 | ||
| Vermont | $61,240 | $60,300 | +$940 | ||
| Virginia | $49,660 | $34,150 | +$15,510 | ||
| Washington | $67,140 | $48,980 | +$18,160 | ||
| West Virginia | $55,180 | $27,950 | +$27,230 | ||
| Wisconsin | $59,160 | $28,090 | +$31,070 | ||
| Wyoming | $62,220 | $21,790 | +$40,430 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Chefs and Head Cooks or Waiters and Waitresses?
On average across all states, a Chefs and Head Cooks earns more than a Waiters and Waitresses. The national median salary difference is $26,881 (89.4%) based on 2024 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks vs Waiters and Waitresses?
The national median salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks is $56,965 per year, compared to $30,083 for a Waiters and Waitresses, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Chefs and Head Cooks or Waiters and Waitresses?
There are more people employed as Waiters and Waitresses. BLS reports approximately 172,350 Chefs and Head Cooks positions and 2,237,890 Waiters and Waitresses positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Chefs and Head Cooks or Waiters and Waitresses?
Both Chefs and Head Cooks and Waiters and Waitresses 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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