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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers: Salary Comparison

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025).

National Salary Overview

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

Median Salary
$38,684
Average (Mean)
$39,489
Employed Nationwide
441,040
VS

First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers

Median Salary
$42,805
Average (Mean)
$46,330
Employed Nationwide
1,223,240
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers earns $4,120 more (10.7%)
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.Cooks, Institution and CafeteriaCooks, Institution and Cafet…Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria: $38,684$38,684First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving WorkersFirst-Line Supervisors of Fo…First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers: $42,805$42,805

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $38,684 $42,805
Average (Mean) Salary $39,489 $46,330
Total Employment 441,040 1,223,240
States with Higher Pay 3 48

Salary by State: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers

Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pays more in 3 states; First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers pays more in 48.

State Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers Difference
Alabama $27,120
$37,110
$-9,990
Alaska $48,580
$46,570
+$2,010
Arizona $39,660
$40,550
$-890
Arkansas $30,240
$33,800
$-3,560
California $46,390
$46,980
$-590
Colorado $42,500
$50,550
$-8,050
Connecticut $46,120
$52,940
$-6,820
Delaware $44,080
$48,120
$-4,040
District of Columbia $45,450
$57,170
$-11,720
Florida $36,250
$44,470
$-8,220
Georgia $35,090
$38,600
$-3,510
Hawaii $47,770
$48,880
$-1,110
Idaho $35,600
$38,190
$-2,590
Illinois $37,440
$39,470
$-2,030
Indiana $35,980
$44,880
$-8,900
Iowa $35,810
$38,760
$-2,950
Kansas $31,950
$38,220
$-6,270
Kentucky $31,550
$35,810
$-4,260
Louisiana $25,490
$35,800
$-10,310
Maine $43,490
$47,990
$-4,500
Maryland $41,380
$42,450
$-1,070
Massachusetts $47,790
$46,600
+$1,190
Michigan $36,870
$37,940
$-1,070
Minnesota $43,460
$45,270
$-1,810
Mississippi $27,390
$36,530
$-9,140
Missouri $34,900
$37,400
$-2,500
Montana $37,150
$44,010
$-6,860
Nebraska $36,390
$39,230
$-2,840
Nevada $39,430
$44,030
$-4,600
New Hampshire $45,370
$49,710
$-4,340
New Jersey $44,520
$48,420
$-3,900
New Mexico $36,470
$39,310
$-2,840
New York $45,880
$47,190
$-1,310
North Carolina $36,140
$45,010
$-8,870
North Dakota $39,490
$44,720
$-5,230
Ohio $36,720
$37,340
$-620
Oklahoma $29,270
$35,420
$-6,150
Oregon $44,520
$46,950
$-2,430
Pennsylvania $36,540
$43,050
$-6,510
Rhode Island $46,570
$48,400
$-1,830
South Carolina $34,960
$38,520
$-3,560
South Dakota $36,730
$40,640
$-3,910
Tennessee $35,570
$40,500
$-4,930
Texas $35,360
$36,480
$-1,120
Utah $38,200
$38,750
$-550
Vermont $46,370
$49,820
$-3,450
Virginia $37,890
$45,550
$-7,660
Washington $49,670
$59,400
$-9,730
West Virginia $29,740
$33,070
$-3,330
Wisconsin $38,650
$39,670
$-1,020
Wyoming $36,940
$36,820
+$120

Explore This Comparison by State

Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers?
On average across all states, a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers earns more than a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria. The national median salary difference is $4,120 (10.7%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earn more than a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers?
A Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns a higher median salary than a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers in 3 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers pays more in 48 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria is $38,684 per year, compared to $42,805 for a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers?
There are more people employed as First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers. BLS reports approximately 441,040 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions and 1,223,240 First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers?
Both Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria and First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving 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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