National Salary Overview
VS
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median Salary
$31,012
Average (Mean)
$32,463
Employed Nationwide
267,840
Cooks, All Other earns $5,485 more (17.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$36,498
$31,012
Average (Mean) Salary
$37,670
$32,463
Total Employment
18,180
267,840
States with Higher Pay
32
6
Salary by State: Cooks, All Other vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Showing 38 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, All Other pays more in 32 states; Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 6.
| State | Cooks, All Other | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $32,960 | $26,590 | +$6,370 | ||
| Alaska | $38,710 | $33,630 | +$5,080 | ||
| Arizona | $35,110 | $34,070 | +$1,040 | ||
| Arkansas | $31,890 | $26,920 | +$4,970 | ||
| California | $36,740 | $36,790 | $-50 | ||
| Colorado | $38,570 | $36,420 | +$2,150 | ||
| Connecticut | $37,910 | $35,130 | +$2,780 | ||
| Florida | $35,950 | $30,190 | +$5,760 | ||
| Georgia | $29,940 | $29,820 | +$120 | ||
| Hawaii | $35,400 | $35,660 | $-260 | ||
| Idaho | $38,820 | $28,810 | +$10,010 | ||
| Illinois | $44,970 | $31,940 | +$13,030 | ||
| Indiana | $38,340 | $29,570 | +$8,770 | ||
| Iowa | $33,410 | $29,350 | +$4,060 | ||
| Kentucky | $26,450 | $29,810 | $-3,360 | ||
| Louisiana | $29,550 | $26,560 | +$2,990 | ||
| Maryland | $36,590 | $33,870 | +$2,720 | ||
| Massachusetts | $57,420 | $35,770 | +$21,650 | ||
| Michigan | $34,130 | $30,560 | +$3,570 | ||
| Minnesota | $34,500 | $34,040 | +$460 | ||
| Missouri | $31,950 | $27,970 | +$3,980 | ||
| Montana | $29,810 | $30,390 | $-580 | ||
| Nevada | $45,380 | $31,760 | +$13,620 | ||
| New Jersey | $40,110 | $34,310 | +$5,800 | ||
| New York | $39,700 | $36,910 | +$2,790 | ||
| North Carolina | $29,010 | $29,430 | $-420 | ||
| North Dakota | $35,980 | $33,780 | +$2,200 | ||
| Ohio | $36,100 | $29,150 | +$6,950 | ||
| Oregon | $38,600 | $34,500 | +$4,100 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $37,230 | $30,680 | +$6,550 | ||
| South Carolina | $37,410 | $29,200 | +$8,210 | ||
| Tennessee | $33,560 | $28,830 | +$4,730 | ||
| Texas | $30,420 | $26,920 | +$3,500 | ||
| Utah | $37,200 | $27,000 | +$10,200 | ||
| Vermont | $38,210 | $33,090 | +$5,120 | ||
| Virginia | $29,280 | $30,540 | $-1,260 | ||
| Washington | $51,310 | $36,370 | +$14,940 | ||
| Wisconsin | $38,320 | $31,510 | +$6,810 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, All Other or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
On average across all states, a Cooks, All Other earns more than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant. The national median salary difference is $5,485 (17.7%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, All Other earn more than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
A Cooks, All Other earns a higher median salary than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in 32 out of 38 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 6 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, All Other vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
The national median salary for a Cooks, All Other is $36,498 per year, compared to $31,012 for a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, All Other or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
There are more people employed as Food Servers, Nonrestaurant. BLS reports approximately 18,180 Cooks, All Other positions and 267,840 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Cooks, All Other or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
Both Cooks, All Other 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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