National Salary Overview
VS
Food Preparation Workers earns $1,839 more (5.8%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$31,756
$33,595
Average (Mean) Salary
$32,541
$34,727
Total Employment
638,250
893,600
States with Higher Pay
14
37
Salary by State: Cooks, Fast Food vs Food Preparation Workers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Fast Food pays more in 14 states; Food Preparation Workers pays more in 37.
| State | Cooks, Fast Food | Food Preparation Workers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,870 | $27,930 | $-60 | ||
| Alaska | $33,960 | $35,720 | $-1,760 | ||
| Arizona | $32,660 | $36,750 | $-4,090 | ||
| Arkansas | $27,710 | $27,660 | +$50 | ||
| California | $42,050 | $39,350 | +$2,700 | ||
| Colorado | $36,900 | $38,960 | $-2,060 | ||
| Connecticut | $34,980 | $36,650 | $-1,670 | ||
| Delaware | $31,840 | $35,930 | $-4,090 | ||
| District of Columbia | $44,670 | $39,600 | +$5,070 | ||
| Florida | $29,900 | $35,920 | $-6,020 | ||
| Georgia | $26,940 | $35,250 | $-8,310 | ||
| Hawaii | $48,120 | $38,160 | +$9,960 | ||
| Idaho | $31,070 | $31,510 | $-440 | ||
| Illinois | $34,960 | $34,850 | +$110 | ||
| Indiana | $29,870 | $29,700 | +$170 | ||
| Iowa | $28,510 | $30,360 | $-1,850 | ||
| Kansas | $28,640 | $30,280 | $-1,640 | ||
| Kentucky | $23,500 | $26,850 | $-3,350 | ||
| Louisiana | $24,960 | $23,620 | +$1,340 | ||
| Maine | $36,350 | $36,030 | +$320 | ||
| Maryland | $33,320 | $35,500 | $-2,180 | ||
| Massachusetts | $37,870 | $38,900 | $-1,030 | ||
| Michigan | $29,460 | $31,180 | $-1,720 | ||
| Minnesota | $34,120 | $34,850 | $-730 | ||
| Mississippi | $22,670 | $26,240 | $-3,570 | ||
| Missouri | $29,890 | $31,510 | $-1,620 | ||
| Montana | $26,770 | $33,860 | $-7,090 | ||
| Nebraska | $30,430 | $35,210 | $-4,780 | ||
| Nevada | $33,840 | $33,460 | +$380 | ||
| New Hampshire | $38,590 | $36,780 | +$1,810 | ||
| New Jersey | $32,220 | $35,540 | $-3,320 | ||
| New Mexico | $30,190 | $33,370 | $-3,180 | ||
| New York | $35,770 | $35,610 | +$160 | ||
| North Carolina | $27,190 | $30,260 | $-3,070 | ||
| North Dakota | $30,220 | $36,800 | $-6,580 | ||
| Ohio | $26,870 | $34,530 | $-7,660 | ||
| Oklahoma | $27,720 | $28,540 | $-820 | ||
| Oregon | $37,880 | $37,450 | +$430 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $28,810 | $30,840 | $-2,030 | ||
| Rhode Island | $35,230 | $35,470 | $-240 | ||
| South Carolina | $27,420 | $32,180 | $-4,760 | ||
| South Dakota | $30,950 | $30,430 | +$520 | ||
| Tennessee | $28,330 | $28,700 | $-370 | ||
| Texas | $28,280 | $30,650 | $-2,370 | ||
| Utah | $31,800 | $33,540 | $-1,740 | ||
| Vermont | $38,230 | $36,550 | +$1,680 | ||
| Virginia | $29,950 | $34,900 | $-4,950 | ||
| Washington | $39,120 | $40,910 | $-1,790 | ||
| West Virginia | $23,120 | $28,360 | $-5,240 | ||
| Wisconsin | $28,920 | $34,070 | $-5,150 | ||
| Wyoming | $28,950 | $36,110 | $-7,160 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Fast Food vs Food Preparation Workers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Fast Food or Food Preparation Workers?
On average across all states, a Food Preparation Workers earns more than a Cooks, Fast Food. The national median salary difference is $1,839 (5.8%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Fast Food earn more than a Food Preparation Workers?
A Cooks, Fast Food earns a higher median salary than a Food Preparation Workers in 14 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Food Preparation Workers pays more in 37 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Fast Food vs Food Preparation Workers?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Fast Food is $31,756 per year, compared to $33,595 for a Food Preparation Workers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Fast Food or Food Preparation Workers?
There are more people employed as Food Preparation Workers. BLS reports approximately 638,250 Cooks, Fast Food positions and 893,600 Food Preparation Workers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Cooks, Fast Food or Food Preparation Workers?
Both Cooks, Fast Food and Food Preparation Workers 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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