National Salary Overview
VS
Cooks, All Other earns $5,202 more (16.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$36,498
$31,295
Average (Mean) Salary
$37,670
$32,435
Total Employment
18,180
879,610
States with Higher Pay
34
3
Salary by State: Cooks, All Other vs Food Preparation Workers
Showing 38 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, All Other pays more in 34 states; Food Preparation Workers pays more in 3.
| State | Cooks, All Other | Food Preparation Workers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $32,960 | $23,880 | +$9,080 | ||
| Alaska | $38,710 | $36,360 | +$2,350 | ||
| Arizona | $35,110 | $33,680 | +$1,430 | ||
| Arkansas | $31,890 | $28,850 | +$3,040 | ||
| California | $36,740 | $37,130 | $-390 | ||
| Colorado | $38,570 | $37,470 | +$1,100 | ||
| Connecticut | $37,910 | $34,690 | +$3,220 | ||
| Florida | $35,950 | $31,950 | +$4,000 | ||
| Georgia | $29,940 | $29,720 | +$220 | ||
| Hawaii | $35,400 | $36,360 | $-960 | ||
| Idaho | $38,820 | $28,970 | +$9,850 | ||
| Illinois | $44,970 | $31,660 | +$13,310 | ||
| Indiana | $38,340 | $30,030 | +$8,310 | ||
| Iowa | $33,410 | $28,700 | +$4,710 | ||
| Kentucky | $26,450 | $27,630 | $-1,180 | ||
| Louisiana | $29,550 | $22,390 | +$7,160 | ||
| Maryland | $36,590 | $33,220 | +$3,370 | ||
| Massachusetts | $57,420 | $36,520 | +$20,900 | ||
| Michigan | $34,130 | $31,920 | +$2,210 | ||
| Minnesota | $34,500 | $33,810 | +$690 | ||
| Missouri | $31,950 | $28,670 | +$3,280 | ||
| Montana | $29,810 | $29,550 | +$260 | ||
| Nevada | $45,380 | $34,210 | +$11,170 | ||
| New Jersey | $40,110 | $34,670 | +$5,440 | ||
| New York | $39,700 | $36,540 | +$3,160 | ||
| North Carolina | $29,010 | $27,820 | +$1,190 | ||
| North Dakota | $35,980 | $34,390 | +$1,590 | ||
| Ohio | $36,100 | $29,040 | +$7,060 | ||
| Oregon | $38,600 | $35,850 | +$2,750 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $37,230 | $28,640 | +$8,590 | ||
| South Carolina | $37,410 | $28,320 | +$9,090 | ||
| Tennessee | $33,560 | $27,090 | +$6,470 | ||
| Texas | $30,420 | $28,890 | +$1,530 | ||
| Utah | $37,200 | $31,590 | +$5,610 | ||
| Vermont | $38,210 | $34,750 | +$3,460 | ||
| Virginia | $29,280 | $29,280 | $0 | ||
| Washington | $51,310 | $40,390 | +$10,920 | ||
| Wisconsin | $38,320 | $30,080 | +$8,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, All Other or Food Preparation Workers?
On average across all states, a Cooks, All Other earns more than a Food Preparation Workers. The national median salary difference is $5,202 (16.6%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, All Other earn more than a Food Preparation Workers?
A Cooks, All Other earns a higher median salary than a Food Preparation Workers in 34 out of 38 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Food Preparation Workers pays more in 3 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, All Other vs Food Preparation Workers?
The national median salary for a Cooks, All Other is $36,498 per year, compared to $31,295 for a Food Preparation Workers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, All Other or Food Preparation Workers?
There are more people employed as Food Preparation Workers. BLS reports approximately 18,180 Cooks, All Other positions and 879,610 Food Preparation Workers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Cooks, All Other or Food Preparation Workers?
Both Cooks, All Other 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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