National Salary Overview
VS
Chefs and Head Cooks earns $27,997 more (82.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$61,961
$33,964
Average (Mean) Salary
$65,188
$39,648
Total Employment
200,070
2,270,900
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 | $62,400 | $26,840 | +$35,560 | ||
| Alaska | $52,190 | $26,310 | +$25,880 | ||
| Arizona | $59,890 | $43,950 | +$15,940 | ||
| Arkansas | $46,170 | $24,680 | +$21,490 | ||
| California | $64,500 | $36,080 | +$28,420 | ||
| Colorado | $65,400 | $44,860 | +$20,540 | ||
| Connecticut | $64,310 | $37,770 | +$26,540 | ||
| Delaware | $61,440 | $36,880 | +$24,560 | ||
| District of Columbia | $76,420 | $47,850 | +$28,570 | ||
| Florida | $58,240 | $36,150 | +$22,090 | ||
| Georgia | $66,230 | $18,700 | +$47,530 | ||
| Hawaii | $77,360 | $62,390 | +$14,970 | ||
| Idaho | $52,000 | $30,050 | +$21,950 | ||
| Illinois | $58,830 | $31,200 | +$27,630 | ||
| Indiana | $52,190 | $28,480 | +$23,710 | ||
| Iowa | $47,990 | $21,000 | +$26,990 | ||
| Kansas | $58,390 | $36,120 | +$22,270 | ||
| Kentucky | $48,070 | $29,660 | +$18,410 | ||
| Louisiana | $45,570 | $15,080 | +$30,490 | ||
| Maine | $57,010 | $43,370 | +$13,640 | ||
| Maryland | $61,590 | $36,750 | +$24,840 | ||
| Massachusetts | $69,540 | $38,460 | +$31,080 | ||
| Michigan | $60,070 | $37,760 | +$22,310 | ||
| Minnesota | $62,600 | $25,470 | +$37,130 | ||
| Mississippi | $54,850 | $21,370 | +$33,480 | ||
| Missouri | $64,480 | $29,400 | +$35,080 | ||
| Montana | $57,470 | $23,370 | +$34,100 | ||
| Nebraska | $60,510 | $33,770 | +$26,740 | ||
| Nevada | $62,380 | $26,410 | +$35,970 | ||
| New Hampshire | $63,400 | $38,430 | +$24,970 | ||
| New Jersey | $74,280 | $44,960 | +$29,320 | ||
| New Mexico | $62,250 | $36,920 | +$25,330 | ||
| New York | $70,670 | $47,020 | +$23,650 | ||
| North Carolina | $61,130 | $32,150 | +$28,980 | ||
| North Dakota | $74,740 | $30,890 | +$43,850 | ||
| Ohio | $53,990 | $36,700 | +$17,290 | ||
| Oklahoma | $58,540 | $17,910 | +$40,630 | ||
| Oregon | $63,600 | $48,410 | +$15,190 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $63,860 | $34,690 | +$29,170 | ||
| Rhode Island | $79,930 | $35,420 | +$44,510 | ||
| South Carolina | $71,860 | $18,370 | +$53,490 | ||
| South Dakota | $48,470 | $28,990 | +$19,480 | ||
| Tennessee | $69,810 | $27,760 | +$42,050 | ||
| Texas | $56,080 | $23,240 | +$32,840 | ||
| Utah | $59,060 | $31,150 | +$27,910 | ||
| Vermont | $65,440 | $59,140 | +$6,300 | ||
| Virginia | $63,270 | $44,760 | +$18,510 | ||
| Washington | $76,010 | $56,130 | +$19,880 | ||
| West Virginia | $61,100 | $35,380 | +$25,720 | ||
| Wisconsin | $61,300 | $29,670 | +$31,630 | ||
| Wyoming | $73,170 | $23,920 | +$49,250 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Chefs and Head Cooks vs Waiters and Waitresses salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $27,997 (82.4%) based on 2025 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 $61,961 per year, compared to $33,964 for a Waiters and Waitresses, according to 2025 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 200,070 Chefs and Head Cooks positions and 2,270,900 Waiters and Waitresses positions nationwide (2025).
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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