National Salary Overview
VS
Cooks, Short Order earns $2,748 more (8.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$31,756
$34,504
Average (Mean) Salary
$32,541
$35,344
Total Employment
638,250
132,800
States with Higher Pay
13
36
Salary by State: Cooks, Fast Food vs Cooks, Short Order
Showing 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Fast Food pays more in 13 states; Cooks, Short Order pays more in 36.
| State | Cooks, Fast Food | Cooks, Short Order | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,870 | $22,330 | +$5,540 | ||
| Alaska | $33,960 | $37,780 | $-3,820 | ||
| Arizona | $32,660 | $46,630 | $-13,970 | ||
| Arkansas | $27,710 | $30,510 | $-2,800 | ||
| California | $42,050 | $42,930 | $-880 | ||
| Colorado | $36,900 | $42,450 | $-5,550 | ||
| Connecticut | $34,980 | $42,450 | $-7,470 | ||
| Delaware | $31,840 | $38,500 | $-6,660 | ||
| District of Columbia | $44,670 | $42,450 | +$2,220 | ||
| Florida | $29,900 | $34,240 | $-4,340 | ||
| Georgia | $26,940 | $26,870 | +$70 | ||
| Hawaii | $48,120 | $43,110 | +$5,010 | ||
| Idaho | $31,070 | $40,090 | $-9,020 | ||
| Illinois | $34,960 | $37,440 | $-2,480 | ||
| Indiana | $29,870 | $21,940 | +$7,930 | ||
| Iowa | $28,510 | $34,090 | $-5,580 | ||
| Kansas | $28,640 | $27,400 | +$1,240 | ||
| Kentucky | $23,500 | $31,840 | $-8,340 | ||
| Louisiana | $24,960 | $26,260 | $-1,300 | ||
| Maine | $36,350 | $35,360 | +$990 | ||
| Maryland | $33,320 | $36,800 | $-3,480 | ||
| Massachusetts | $37,870 | $44,290 | $-6,420 | ||
| Michigan | $29,460 | $34,510 | $-5,050 | ||
| Minnesota | $34,120 | $32,150 | +$1,970 | ||
| Mississippi | $22,670 | $28,180 | $-5,510 | ||
| Missouri | $29,890 | $38,490 | $-8,600 | ||
| Montana | $26,770 | $33,240 | $-6,470 | ||
| Nebraska | $30,430 | $30,530 | $-100 | ||
| Nevada | $33,840 | $37,780 | $-3,940 | ||
| New Hampshire | $38,590 | $32,330 | +$6,260 | ||
| New Jersey | $32,220 | $40,720 | $-8,500 | ||
| New Mexico | $30,190 | $37,150 | $-6,960 | ||
| New York | $35,770 | $35,550 | +$220 | ||
| North Carolina | $27,190 | $31,290 | $-4,100 | ||
| Ohio | $26,870 | $29,290 | $-2,420 | ||
| Oklahoma | $27,720 | $35,130 | $-7,410 | ||
| Oregon | $37,880 | $38,550 | $-670 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $28,810 | $19,910 | +$8,900 | ||
| Rhode Island | $35,230 | $46,250 | $-11,020 | ||
| South Carolina | $27,420 | $29,640 | $-2,220 | ||
| South Dakota | $30,950 | $32,380 | $-1,430 | ||
| Tennessee | $28,330 | $30,210 | $-1,880 | ||
| Texas | $28,280 | $25,320 | +$2,960 | ||
| Utah | $31,800 | $38,010 | $-6,210 | ||
| Vermont | $38,230 | $38,830 | $-600 | ||
| Virginia | $29,950 | $31,200 | $-1,250 | ||
| Washington | $39,120 | $42,760 | $-3,640 | ||
| West Virginia | $23,120 | $27,440 | $-4,320 | ||
| Wisconsin | $28,920 | $28,130 | +$790 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Fast Food vs Cooks, Short Order salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Fast Food or Cooks, Short Order?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Short Order earns more than a Cooks, Fast Food. The national median salary difference is $2,748 (8.7%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Fast Food earn more than a Cooks, Short Order?
A Cooks, Fast Food earns a higher median salary than a Cooks, Short Order in 13 out of 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Cooks, Short Order pays more in 36 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Fast Food vs Cooks, Short Order?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Fast Food is $31,756 per year, compared to $34,504 for a Cooks, Short Order, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Fast Food or Cooks, Short Order?
There are more people employed as Cooks, Fast Food. BLS reports approximately 638,250 Cooks, Fast Food positions and 132,800 Cooks, Short Order positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Cooks, Fast Food or Cooks, Short Order?
Both Cooks, Fast Food and Cooks, Short Order 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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