National Salary Overview
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Median Salary
$38,684
Average (Mean)
$39,489
Employed Nationwide
441,040
VS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns $4,719 more (13.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$38,684
$33,964
Average (Mean) Salary
$39,489
$39,648
Total Employment
441,040
2,270,900
States with Higher Pay
37
14
Salary by State: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Waiters and Waitresses
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pays more in 37 states; Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 14.
| State | Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | Waiters and Waitresses | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,120 | $26,840 | +$280 | ||
| Alaska | $48,580 | $26,310 | +$22,270 | ||
| Arizona | $39,660 | $43,950 | $-4,290 | ||
| Arkansas | $30,240 | $24,680 | +$5,560 | ||
| California | $46,390 | $36,080 | +$10,310 | ||
| Colorado | $42,500 | $44,860 | $-2,360 | ||
| Connecticut | $46,120 | $37,770 | +$8,350 | ||
| Delaware | $44,080 | $36,880 | +$7,200 | ||
| District of Columbia | $45,450 | $47,850 | $-2,400 | ||
| Florida | $36,250 | $36,150 | +$100 | ||
| Georgia | $35,090 | $18,700 | +$16,390 | ||
| Hawaii | $47,770 | $62,390 | $-14,620 | ||
| Idaho | $35,600 | $30,050 | +$5,550 | ||
| Illinois | $37,440 | $31,200 | +$6,240 | ||
| Indiana | $35,980 | $28,480 | +$7,500 | ||
| Iowa | $35,810 | $21,000 | +$14,810 | ||
| Kansas | $31,950 | $36,120 | $-4,170 | ||
| Kentucky | $31,550 | $29,660 | +$1,890 | ||
| Louisiana | $25,490 | $15,080 | +$10,410 | ||
| Maine | $43,490 | $43,370 | +$120 | ||
| Maryland | $41,380 | $36,750 | +$4,630 | ||
| Massachusetts | $47,790 | $38,460 | +$9,330 | ||
| Michigan | $36,870 | $37,760 | $-890 | ||
| Minnesota | $43,460 | $25,470 | +$17,990 | ||
| Mississippi | $27,390 | $21,370 | +$6,020 | ||
| Missouri | $34,900 | $29,400 | +$5,500 | ||
| Montana | $37,150 | $23,370 | +$13,780 | ||
| Nebraska | $36,390 | $33,770 | +$2,620 | ||
| Nevada | $39,430 | $26,410 | +$13,020 | ||
| New Hampshire | $45,370 | $38,430 | +$6,940 | ||
| New Jersey | $44,520 | $44,960 | $-440 | ||
| New Mexico | $36,470 | $36,920 | $-450 | ||
| New York | $45,880 | $47,020 | $-1,140 | ||
| North Carolina | $36,140 | $32,150 | +$3,990 | ||
| North Dakota | $39,490 | $30,890 | +$8,600 | ||
| Ohio | $36,720 | $36,700 | +$20 | ||
| Oklahoma | $29,270 | $17,910 | +$11,360 | ||
| Oregon | $44,520 | $48,410 | $-3,890 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $36,540 | $34,690 | +$1,850 | ||
| Rhode Island | $46,570 | $35,420 | +$11,150 | ||
| South Carolina | $34,960 | $18,370 | +$16,590 | ||
| South Dakota | $36,730 | $28,990 | +$7,740 | ||
| Tennessee | $35,570 | $27,760 | +$7,810 | ||
| Texas | $35,360 | $23,240 | +$12,120 | ||
| Utah | $38,200 | $31,150 | +$7,050 | ||
| Vermont | $46,370 | $59,140 | $-12,770 | ||
| Virginia | $37,890 | $44,760 | $-6,870 | ||
| Washington | $49,670 | $56,130 | $-6,460 | ||
| West Virginia | $29,740 | $35,380 | $-5,640 | ||
| Wisconsin | $38,650 | $29,670 | +$8,980 | ||
| Wyoming | $36,940 | $23,920 | +$13,020 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Waiters and Waitresses salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Waiters and Waitresses?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns more than a Waiters and Waitresses. The national median salary difference is $4,719 (13.9%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earn more than a Waiters and Waitresses?
A Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earns a higher median salary than a Waiters and Waitresses in 37 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 14 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria vs Waiters and Waitresses?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria is $38,684 per year, compared to $33,964 for a Waiters and Waitresses, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Waiters and Waitresses?
There are more people employed as Waiters and Waitresses. BLS reports approximately 441,040 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions and 2,270,900 Waiters and Waitresses positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria or Waiters and Waitresses?
Both Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria 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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