National Salary Overview
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Median Salary
$38,684
Average (Mean)
$39,489
Employed Nationwide
441,040
VS
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median Salary
$33,726
Average (Mean)
$34,997
Employed Nationwide
293,910
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns $4,958 more (14.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$38,684
$33,726
Average (Mean) Salary
$39,489
$34,997
Total Employment
441,040
293,910
States with Higher Pay
47
4
Salary by State: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pays more in 47 states; Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 4.
| State | Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,120 | $29,000 | $-1,880 | ||
| Alaska | $48,580 | $38,090 | +$10,490 | ||
| Arizona | $39,660 | $35,390 | +$4,270 | ||
| Arkansas | $30,240 | $27,600 | +$2,640 | ||
| California | $46,390 | $39,010 | +$7,380 | ||
| Colorado | $42,500 | $38,900 | +$3,600 | ||
| Connecticut | $46,120 | $35,950 | +$10,170 | ||
| Delaware | $44,080 | $31,430 | +$12,650 | ||
| District of Columbia | $45,450 | $37,920 | +$7,530 | ||
| Florida | $36,250 | $33,930 | +$2,320 | ||
| Georgia | $35,090 | $31,530 | +$3,560 | ||
| Hawaii | $47,770 | $37,920 | +$9,850 | ||
| Idaho | $35,600 | $34,220 | +$1,380 | ||
| Illinois | $37,440 | $35,080 | +$2,360 | ||
| Indiana | $35,980 | $31,840 | +$4,140 | ||
| Iowa | $35,810 | $30,110 | +$5,700 | ||
| Kansas | $31,950 | $29,040 | +$2,910 | ||
| Kentucky | $31,550 | $32,200 | $-650 | ||
| Louisiana | $25,490 | $27,200 | $-1,710 | ||
| Maine | $43,490 | $37,680 | +$5,810 | ||
| Maryland | $41,380 | $36,650 | +$4,730 | ||
| Massachusetts | $47,790 | $36,750 | +$11,040 | ||
| Michigan | $36,870 | $34,260 | +$2,610 | ||
| Minnesota | $43,460 | $36,000 | +$7,460 | ||
| Mississippi | $27,390 | $27,250 | +$140 | ||
| Missouri | $34,900 | $31,840 | +$3,060 | ||
| Montana | $37,150 | $32,090 | +$5,060 | ||
| Nebraska | $36,390 | $31,540 | +$4,850 | ||
| Nevada | $39,430 | $36,030 | +$3,400 | ||
| New Hampshire | $45,370 | $36,710 | +$8,660 | ||
| New Jersey | $44,520 | $36,390 | +$8,130 | ||
| New Mexico | $36,470 | $35,740 | +$730 | ||
| New York | $45,880 | $39,370 | +$6,510 | ||
| North Carolina | $36,140 | $31,460 | +$4,680 | ||
| North Dakota | $39,490 | $36,910 | +$2,580 | ||
| Ohio | $36,720 | $30,440 | +$6,280 | ||
| Oklahoma | $29,270 | $28,490 | +$780 | ||
| Oregon | $44,520 | $36,620 | +$7,900 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $36,540 | $33,300 | +$3,240 | ||
| Rhode Island | $46,570 | $34,860 | +$11,710 | ||
| South Carolina | $34,960 | $31,740 | +$3,220 | ||
| South Dakota | $36,730 | $31,980 | +$4,750 | ||
| Tennessee | $35,570 | $30,670 | +$4,900 | ||
| Texas | $35,360 | $29,300 | +$6,060 | ||
| Utah | $38,200 | $30,170 | +$8,030 | ||
| Vermont | $46,370 | $37,540 | +$8,830 | ||
| Virginia | $37,890 | $35,090 | +$2,800 | ||
| Washington | $49,670 | $38,870 | +$10,800 | ||
| West Virginia | $29,740 | $30,170 | $-430 | ||
| Wisconsin | $38,650 | $34,670 | +$3,980 | ||
| Wyoming | $36,940 | $33,090 | +$3,850 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns more than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant. The national median salary difference is $4,958 (14.7%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earn more than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
A Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns a higher median salary than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in 47 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 4 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria is $38,684 per year, compared to $33,726 for a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
There are more people employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria. BLS reports approximately 441,040 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions and 293,910 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
Both Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria 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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