National Salary Overview
VS
Cooks, Restaurant earns $5,926 more (18.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$31,756
$37,683
Average (Mean) Salary
$32,541
$38,385
Total Employment
638,250
1,409,810
States with Higher Pay
1
50
Salary by State: Cooks, Fast Food vs Cooks, Restaurant
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Fast Food pays more in 1 states; Cooks, Restaurant pays more in 50.
| State | Cooks, Fast Food | Cooks, Restaurant | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,870 | $32,180 | $-4,310 | ||
| Alaska | $33,960 | $40,140 | $-6,180 | ||
| Arizona | $32,660 | $38,670 | $-6,010 | ||
| Arkansas | $27,710 | $30,180 | $-2,470 | ||
| California | $42,050 | $44,880 | $-2,830 | ||
| Colorado | $36,900 | $41,600 | $-4,700 | ||
| Connecticut | $34,980 | $39,480 | $-4,500 | ||
| Delaware | $31,840 | $37,840 | $-6,000 | ||
| District of Columbia | $44,670 | $46,130 | $-1,460 | ||
| Florida | $29,900 | $37,020 | $-7,120 | ||
| Georgia | $26,940 | $35,940 | $-9,000 | ||
| Hawaii | $48,120 | $45,420 | +$2,700 | ||
| Idaho | $31,070 | $36,440 | $-5,370 | ||
| Illinois | $34,960 | $37,580 | $-2,620 | ||
| Indiana | $29,870 | $35,170 | $-5,300 | ||
| Iowa | $28,510 | $35,670 | $-7,160 | ||
| Kansas | $28,640 | $35,130 | $-6,490 | ||
| Kentucky | $23,500 | $34,640 | $-11,140 | ||
| Louisiana | $24,960 | $29,050 | $-4,090 | ||
| Maine | $36,350 | $45,290 | $-8,940 | ||
| Maryland | $33,320 | $37,820 | $-4,500 | ||
| Massachusetts | $37,870 | $45,600 | $-7,730 | ||
| Michigan | $29,460 | $36,980 | $-7,520 | ||
| Minnesota | $34,120 | $38,590 | $-4,470 | ||
| Mississippi | $22,670 | $29,560 | $-6,890 | ||
| Missouri | $29,890 | $36,940 | $-7,050 | ||
| Montana | $26,770 | $38,060 | $-11,290 | ||
| Nebraska | $30,430 | $37,030 | $-6,600 | ||
| Nevada | $33,840 | $38,610 | $-4,770 | ||
| New Hampshire | $38,590 | $40,200 | $-1,610 | ||
| New Jersey | $32,220 | $38,460 | $-6,240 | ||
| New Mexico | $30,190 | $35,020 | $-4,830 | ||
| New York | $35,770 | $43,680 | $-7,910 | ||
| North Carolina | $27,190 | $35,400 | $-8,210 | ||
| North Dakota | $30,220 | $36,470 | $-6,250 | ||
| Ohio | $26,870 | $35,540 | $-8,670 | ||
| Oklahoma | $27,720 | $31,720 | $-4,000 | ||
| Oregon | $37,880 | $43,100 | $-5,220 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $28,810 | $36,580 | $-7,770 | ||
| Rhode Island | $35,230 | $36,510 | $-1,280 | ||
| South Carolina | $27,420 | $35,740 | $-8,320 | ||
| South Dakota | $30,950 | $36,220 | $-5,270 | ||
| Tennessee | $28,330 | $36,420 | $-8,090 | ||
| Texas | $28,280 | $34,760 | $-6,480 | ||
| Utah | $31,800 | $36,490 | $-4,690 | ||
| Vermont | $38,230 | $45,390 | $-7,160 | ||
| Virginia | $29,950 | $36,750 | $-6,800 | ||
| Washington | $39,120 | $46,800 | $-7,680 | ||
| West Virginia | $23,120 | $29,590 | $-6,470 | ||
| Wisconsin | $28,920 | $36,550 | $-7,630 | ||
| Wyoming | $28,950 | $36,830 | $-7,880 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Fast Food vs Cooks, Restaurant salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Fast Food or Cooks, Restaurant?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Restaurant earns more than a Cooks, Fast Food. The national median salary difference is $5,926 (18.7%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Fast Food earn more than a Cooks, Restaurant?
A Cooks, Fast Food earns a higher median salary than a Cooks, Restaurant in 1 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Cooks, Restaurant pays more in 50 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Fast Food vs Cooks, Restaurant?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Fast Food is $31,756 per year, compared to $37,683 for a Cooks, Restaurant, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Fast Food or Cooks, Restaurant?
There are more people employed as Cooks, Restaurant. BLS reports approximately 638,250 Cooks, Fast Food positions and 1,409,810 Cooks, Restaurant positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Cooks, Fast Food or Cooks, Restaurant?
Both Cooks, Fast Food and Cooks, Restaurant 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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