National Salary Overview
VS
Waiters and Waitresses earns $2,207 more (7.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$31,756
$33,964
Average (Mean) Salary
$32,541
$39,648
Total Employment
638,250
2,270,900
States with Higher Pay
23
28
Salary by State: Cooks, Fast Food vs Waiters and Waitresses
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Fast Food pays more in 23 states; Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 28.
| State | Cooks, Fast Food | Waiters and Waitresses | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,870 | $26,840 | +$1,030 | ||
| Alaska | $33,960 | $26,310 | +$7,650 | ||
| Arizona | $32,660 | $43,950 | $-11,290 | ||
| Arkansas | $27,710 | $24,680 | +$3,030 | ||
| California | $42,050 | $36,080 | +$5,970 | ||
| Colorado | $36,900 | $44,860 | $-7,960 | ||
| Connecticut | $34,980 | $37,770 | $-2,790 | ||
| Delaware | $31,840 | $36,880 | $-5,040 | ||
| District of Columbia | $44,670 | $47,850 | $-3,180 | ||
| Florida | $29,900 | $36,150 | $-6,250 | ||
| Georgia | $26,940 | $18,700 | +$8,240 | ||
| Hawaii | $48,120 | $62,390 | $-14,270 | ||
| Idaho | $31,070 | $30,050 | +$1,020 | ||
| Illinois | $34,960 | $31,200 | +$3,760 | ||
| Indiana | $29,870 | $28,480 | +$1,390 | ||
| Iowa | $28,510 | $21,000 | +$7,510 | ||
| Kansas | $28,640 | $36,120 | $-7,480 | ||
| Kentucky | $23,500 | $29,660 | $-6,160 | ||
| Louisiana | $24,960 | $15,080 | +$9,880 | ||
| Maine | $36,350 | $43,370 | $-7,020 | ||
| Maryland | $33,320 | $36,750 | $-3,430 | ||
| Massachusetts | $37,870 | $38,460 | $-590 | ||
| Michigan | $29,460 | $37,760 | $-8,300 | ||
| Minnesota | $34,120 | $25,470 | +$8,650 | ||
| Mississippi | $22,670 | $21,370 | +$1,300 | ||
| Missouri | $29,890 | $29,400 | +$490 | ||
| Montana | $26,770 | $23,370 | +$3,400 | ||
| Nebraska | $30,430 | $33,770 | $-3,340 | ||
| Nevada | $33,840 | $26,410 | +$7,430 | ||
| New Hampshire | $38,590 | $38,430 | +$160 | ||
| New Jersey | $32,220 | $44,960 | $-12,740 | ||
| New Mexico | $30,190 | $36,920 | $-6,730 | ||
| New York | $35,770 | $47,020 | $-11,250 | ||
| North Carolina | $27,190 | $32,150 | $-4,960 | ||
| North Dakota | $30,220 | $30,890 | $-670 | ||
| Ohio | $26,870 | $36,700 | $-9,830 | ||
| Oklahoma | $27,720 | $17,910 | +$9,810 | ||
| Oregon | $37,880 | $48,410 | $-10,530 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $28,810 | $34,690 | $-5,880 | ||
| Rhode Island | $35,230 | $35,420 | $-190 | ||
| South Carolina | $27,420 | $18,370 | +$9,050 | ||
| South Dakota | $30,950 | $28,990 | +$1,960 | ||
| Tennessee | $28,330 | $27,760 | +$570 | ||
| Texas | $28,280 | $23,240 | +$5,040 | ||
| Utah | $31,800 | $31,150 | +$650 | ||
| Vermont | $38,230 | $59,140 | $-20,910 | ||
| Virginia | $29,950 | $44,760 | $-14,810 | ||
| Washington | $39,120 | $56,130 | $-17,010 | ||
| West Virginia | $23,120 | $35,380 | $-12,260 | ||
| Wisconsin | $28,920 | $29,670 | $-750 | ||
| Wyoming | $28,950 | $23,920 | +$5,030 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Fast Food vs Waiters and Waitresses salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Fast Food or Waiters and Waitresses?
On average across all states, a Waiters and Waitresses earns more than a Cooks, Fast Food. The national median salary difference is $2,207 (7.0%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Fast Food earn more than a Waiters and Waitresses?
A Cooks, Fast Food earns a higher median salary than a Waiters and Waitresses in 23 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 28 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Fast Food vs Waiters and Waitresses?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Fast Food is $31,756 per year, compared to $33,964 for a Waiters and Waitresses, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Fast Food or Waiters and Waitresses?
There are more people employed as Waiters and Waitresses. BLS reports approximately 638,250 Cooks, Fast Food positions and 2,270,900 Waiters and Waitresses positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Cooks, Fast Food or Waiters and Waitresses?
Both Cooks, Fast Food and Waiters and Waitresses 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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