National Salary Overview
VS
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median Salary
$33,726
Average (Mean)
$34,997
Employed Nationwide
293,910
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earns $1,969 more (6.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$31,756
$33,726
Average (Mean) Salary
$32,541
$34,997
Total Employment
638,250
293,910
States with Higher Pay
12
39
Salary by State: Cooks, Fast Food vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Fast Food pays more in 12 states; Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 39.
| State | Cooks, Fast Food | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,870 | $29,000 | $-1,130 | ||
| Alaska | $33,960 | $38,090 | $-4,130 | ||
| Arizona | $32,660 | $35,390 | $-2,730 | ||
| Arkansas | $27,710 | $27,600 | +$110 | ||
| California | $42,050 | $39,010 | +$3,040 | ||
| Colorado | $36,900 | $38,900 | $-2,000 | ||
| Connecticut | $34,980 | $35,950 | $-970 | ||
| Delaware | $31,840 | $31,430 | +$410 | ||
| District of Columbia | $44,670 | $37,920 | +$6,750 | ||
| Florida | $29,900 | $33,930 | $-4,030 | ||
| Georgia | $26,940 | $31,530 | $-4,590 | ||
| Hawaii | $48,120 | $37,920 | +$10,200 | ||
| Idaho | $31,070 | $34,220 | $-3,150 | ||
| Illinois | $34,960 | $35,080 | $-120 | ||
| Indiana | $29,870 | $31,840 | $-1,970 | ||
| Iowa | $28,510 | $30,110 | $-1,600 | ||
| Kansas | $28,640 | $29,040 | $-400 | ||
| Kentucky | $23,500 | $32,200 | $-8,700 | ||
| Louisiana | $24,960 | $27,200 | $-2,240 | ||
| Maine | $36,350 | $37,680 | $-1,330 | ||
| Maryland | $33,320 | $36,650 | $-3,330 | ||
| Massachusetts | $37,870 | $36,750 | +$1,120 | ||
| Michigan | $29,460 | $34,260 | $-4,800 | ||
| Minnesota | $34,120 | $36,000 | $-1,880 | ||
| Mississippi | $22,670 | $27,250 | $-4,580 | ||
| Missouri | $29,890 | $31,840 | $-1,950 | ||
| Montana | $26,770 | $32,090 | $-5,320 | ||
| Nebraska | $30,430 | $31,540 | $-1,110 | ||
| Nevada | $33,840 | $36,030 | $-2,190 | ||
| New Hampshire | $38,590 | $36,710 | +$1,880 | ||
| New Jersey | $32,220 | $36,390 | $-4,170 | ||
| New Mexico | $30,190 | $35,740 | $-5,550 | ||
| New York | $35,770 | $39,370 | $-3,600 | ||
| North Carolina | $27,190 | $31,460 | $-4,270 | ||
| North Dakota | $30,220 | $36,910 | $-6,690 | ||
| Ohio | $26,870 | $30,440 | $-3,570 | ||
| Oklahoma | $27,720 | $28,490 | $-770 | ||
| Oregon | $37,880 | $36,620 | +$1,260 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $28,810 | $33,300 | $-4,490 | ||
| Rhode Island | $35,230 | $34,860 | +$370 | ||
| South Carolina | $27,420 | $31,740 | $-4,320 | ||
| South Dakota | $30,950 | $31,980 | $-1,030 | ||
| Tennessee | $28,330 | $30,670 | $-2,340 | ||
| Texas | $28,280 | $29,300 | $-1,020 | ||
| Utah | $31,800 | $30,170 | +$1,630 | ||
| Vermont | $38,230 | $37,540 | +$690 | ||
| Virginia | $29,950 | $35,090 | $-5,140 | ||
| Washington | $39,120 | $38,870 | +$250 | ||
| West Virginia | $23,120 | $30,170 | $-7,050 | ||
| Wisconsin | $28,920 | $34,670 | $-5,750 | ||
| Wyoming | $28,950 | $33,090 | $-4,140 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Fast Food vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Fast Food or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
On average across all states, a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earns more than a Cooks, Fast Food. The national median salary difference is $1,969 (6.2%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Fast Food earn more than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
A Cooks, Fast Food earns a higher median salary than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in 12 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 39 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Fast Food vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Fast Food is $31,756 per year, compared to $33,726 for a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Fast Food or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
There are more people employed as Cooks, Fast Food. BLS reports approximately 638,250 Cooks, Fast Food positions and 293,910 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Cooks, Fast Food or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
Both Cooks, Fast Food and Food Servers, Nonrestaurant 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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