National Salary Overview
VS
Dishwashers earns $429 more (1.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$31,756
$32,185
Average (Mean) Salary
$32,541
$32,829
Total Employment
638,250
477,420
States with Higher Pay
20
31
Salary by State: Cooks, Fast Food vs Dishwashers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Fast Food pays more in 20 states; Dishwashers pays more in 31.
| State | Cooks, Fast Food | Dishwashers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,870 | $28,930 | $-1,060 | ||
| Alaska | $33,960 | $33,890 | +$70 | ||
| Arizona | $32,660 | $35,130 | $-2,470 | ||
| Arkansas | $27,710 | $27,540 | +$170 | ||
| California | $42,050 | $37,870 | +$4,180 | ||
| Colorado | $36,900 | $37,840 | $-940 | ||
| Connecticut | $34,980 | $35,550 | $-570 | ||
| Delaware | $31,840 | $35,780 | $-3,940 | ||
| District of Columbia | $44,670 | $38,670 | +$6,000 | ||
| Florida | $29,900 | $31,240 | $-1,340 | ||
| Georgia | $26,940 | $29,730 | $-2,790 | ||
| Hawaii | $48,120 | $37,740 | +$10,380 | ||
| Idaho | $31,070 | $29,920 | +$1,150 | ||
| Illinois | $34,960 | $36,180 | $-1,220 | ||
| Indiana | $29,870 | $29,480 | +$390 | ||
| Iowa | $28,510 | $29,300 | $-790 | ||
| Kansas | $28,640 | $28,060 | +$580 | ||
| Kentucky | $23,500 | $29,060 | $-5,560 | ||
| Louisiana | $24,960 | $26,440 | $-1,480 | ||
| Maine | $36,350 | $35,620 | +$730 | ||
| Maryland | $33,320 | $34,030 | $-710 | ||
| Massachusetts | $37,870 | $37,190 | +$680 | ||
| Michigan | $29,460 | $31,300 | $-1,840 | ||
| Minnesota | $34,120 | $34,060 | +$60 | ||
| Mississippi | $22,670 | $26,300 | $-3,630 | ||
| Missouri | $29,890 | $32,150 | $-2,260 | ||
| Montana | $26,770 | $30,130 | $-3,360 | ||
| Nebraska | $30,430 | $29,740 | +$690 | ||
| Nevada | $33,840 | $34,920 | $-1,080 | ||
| New Hampshire | $38,590 | $34,960 | +$3,630 | ||
| New Jersey | $32,220 | $35,900 | $-3,680 | ||
| New Mexico | $30,190 | $30,520 | $-330 | ||
| New York | $35,770 | $35,450 | +$320 | ||
| North Carolina | $27,190 | $30,340 | $-3,150 | ||
| North Dakota | $30,220 | $29,980 | +$240 | ||
| Ohio | $26,870 | $29,520 | $-2,650 | ||
| Oklahoma | $27,720 | $27,390 | +$330 | ||
| Oregon | $37,880 | $36,040 | +$1,840 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $28,810 | $29,950 | $-1,140 | ||
| Rhode Island | $35,230 | $33,960 | +$1,270 | ||
| South Carolina | $27,420 | $29,160 | $-1,740 | ||
| South Dakota | $30,950 | $28,190 | +$2,760 | ||
| Tennessee | $28,330 | $30,530 | $-2,200 | ||
| Texas | $28,280 | $29,610 | $-1,330 | ||
| Utah | $31,800 | $31,830 | $-30 | ||
| Vermont | $38,230 | $36,010 | +$2,220 | ||
| Virginia | $29,950 | $33,130 | $-3,180 | ||
| Washington | $39,120 | $40,080 | $-960 | ||
| West Virginia | $23,120 | $26,460 | $-3,340 | ||
| Wisconsin | $28,920 | $29,070 | $-150 | ||
| Wyoming | $28,950 | $29,600 | $-650 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Fast Food vs Dishwashers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Fast Food or Dishwashers?
On average across all states, a Dishwashers earns more than a Cooks, Fast Food. The national median salary difference is $429 (1.4%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Fast Food earn more than a Dishwashers?
A Cooks, Fast Food earns a higher median salary than a Dishwashers in 20 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Dishwashers pays more in 31 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Fast Food vs Dishwashers?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Fast Food is $31,756 per year, compared to $32,185 for a Dishwashers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Fast Food or Dishwashers?
There are more people employed as Cooks, Fast Food. BLS reports approximately 638,250 Cooks, Fast Food positions and 477,420 Dishwashers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Cooks, Fast Food or Dishwashers?
Both Cooks, Fast Food and Dishwashers 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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