Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Cooks, Restaurant Employment & Job Outlook in Texas (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Texas employs 126,620 Cooks, Restaurant professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Texas employment outlook • Updated 2026-05-19

Total Employed
126,620
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
126.62
workers
Location Quotient
4.58
vs national avg
Average Salary
$33K
annual

High Demand in Texas

The location quotient (LQ) of 4.58 indicates that Texas has a higher-than-average concentration of Cooks, Restaurant professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

Texas vs National Average

Total Employed
126,620
National: 1,409,810
9.0% of national
Jobs per 1,000
126.62
National: 27.64
+358.1%
Average Salary
$33K
National: $38K
-13.1%

Top States by Cooks, Restaurant Employment

#1
152,250
152,250
employed
#2
126,620
126,620
employed
#3
124,040
124,040
employed
#4
71,530
71,530
employed
#5
54,100
54,100
employed
#6
53,540
53,540
employed
#7
50,150
50,150
employed
#8
46,910
46,910
employed
#9
46,350
46,350
employed
#10
40,310
40,310
employed

What Does a Cooks, Restaurant Earn in Texas?

The average annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Texas is $33,370. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Cooks, Restaurant jobs are there in Texas?

Texas employs approximately 126,620 Cooks, Restaurant professionals (2025 BLS data). This ranks Texas among the top states nationwide.

Is Cooks, Restaurant in demand in Texas?

Yes — Texas has above-average concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs (LQ: 4.58). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Texas?

The average (mean) salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Texas is $33370/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Cooks, Restaurant professionals?

The top state for Cooks, Restaurant employment is California with 152,250 jobs.

Find Your Next Opportunity

Related Pages

Top Cities in Texas

Explore cost of living, median household income, and demographics for Texas's largest cities.

Top Colleges in Texas

Compare tuition, admissions, and graduate outcomes at Texas's leading institutions.

Cooks, Restaurant Employment in Other States

Compare Cooks, Restaurant labor-market data (jobs, location quotient, salary) across the top-employing states.

All Cooks, Restaurant & Texas Resources

Drill deeper into Cooks, Restaurant pay, hiring, and education data for Texas.

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Cooks, Restaurant (SOC 352014) in Texas.

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy