National Salary Overview
VS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Median Salary
$38,684
Average (Mean)
$39,489
Employed Nationwide
441,040
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns $6,927 more (21.8%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$31,756
$38,684
Average (Mean) Salary
$32,541
$39,489
Total Employment
638,250
441,040
States with Higher Pay
2
49
Salary by State: Cooks, Fast Food vs Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Fast Food pays more in 2 states; Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pays more in 49.
| State | Cooks, Fast Food | Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,870 | $27,120 | +$750 | ||
| Alaska | $33,960 | $48,580 | $-14,620 | ||
| Arizona | $32,660 | $39,660 | $-7,000 | ||
| Arkansas | $27,710 | $30,240 | $-2,530 | ||
| California | $42,050 | $46,390 | $-4,340 | ||
| Colorado | $36,900 | $42,500 | $-5,600 | ||
| Connecticut | $34,980 | $46,120 | $-11,140 | ||
| Delaware | $31,840 | $44,080 | $-12,240 | ||
| District of Columbia | $44,670 | $45,450 | $-780 | ||
| Florida | $29,900 | $36,250 | $-6,350 | ||
| Georgia | $26,940 | $35,090 | $-8,150 | ||
| Hawaii | $48,120 | $47,770 | +$350 | ||
| Idaho | $31,070 | $35,600 | $-4,530 | ||
| Illinois | $34,960 | $37,440 | $-2,480 | ||
| Indiana | $29,870 | $35,980 | $-6,110 | ||
| Iowa | $28,510 | $35,810 | $-7,300 | ||
| Kansas | $28,640 | $31,950 | $-3,310 | ||
| Kentucky | $23,500 | $31,550 | $-8,050 | ||
| Louisiana | $24,960 | $25,490 | $-530 | ||
| Maine | $36,350 | $43,490 | $-7,140 | ||
| Maryland | $33,320 | $41,380 | $-8,060 | ||
| Massachusetts | $37,870 | $47,790 | $-9,920 | ||
| Michigan | $29,460 | $36,870 | $-7,410 | ||
| Minnesota | $34,120 | $43,460 | $-9,340 | ||
| Mississippi | $22,670 | $27,390 | $-4,720 | ||
| Missouri | $29,890 | $34,900 | $-5,010 | ||
| Montana | $26,770 | $37,150 | $-10,380 | ||
| Nebraska | $30,430 | $36,390 | $-5,960 | ||
| Nevada | $33,840 | $39,430 | $-5,590 | ||
| New Hampshire | $38,590 | $45,370 | $-6,780 | ||
| New Jersey | $32,220 | $44,520 | $-12,300 | ||
| New Mexico | $30,190 | $36,470 | $-6,280 | ||
| New York | $35,770 | $45,880 | $-10,110 | ||
| North Carolina | $27,190 | $36,140 | $-8,950 | ||
| North Dakota | $30,220 | $39,490 | $-9,270 | ||
| Ohio | $26,870 | $36,720 | $-9,850 | ||
| Oklahoma | $27,720 | $29,270 | $-1,550 | ||
| Oregon | $37,880 | $44,520 | $-6,640 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $28,810 | $36,540 | $-7,730 | ||
| Rhode Island | $35,230 | $46,570 | $-11,340 | ||
| South Carolina | $27,420 | $34,960 | $-7,540 | ||
| South Dakota | $30,950 | $36,730 | $-5,780 | ||
| Tennessee | $28,330 | $35,570 | $-7,240 | ||
| Texas | $28,280 | $35,360 | $-7,080 | ||
| Utah | $31,800 | $38,200 | $-6,400 | ||
| Vermont | $38,230 | $46,370 | $-8,140 | ||
| Virginia | $29,950 | $37,890 | $-7,940 | ||
| Washington | $39,120 | $49,670 | $-10,550 | ||
| West Virginia | $23,120 | $29,740 | $-6,620 | ||
| Wisconsin | $28,920 | $38,650 | $-9,730 | ||
| Wyoming | $28,950 | $36,940 | $-7,990 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Fast Food vs Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Fast Food or Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns more than a Cooks, Fast Food. The national median salary difference is $6,927 (21.8%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Fast Food earn more than a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
A Cooks, Fast Food earns a higher median salary than a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in 2 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pays more in 49 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Fast Food vs Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Fast Food is $31,756 per year, compared to $38,684 for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Fast Food or Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
There are more people employed as Cooks, Fast Food. BLS reports approximately 638,250 Cooks, Fast Food positions and 441,040 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Cooks, Fast Food or Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
Both Cooks, Fast Food and Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria 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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