National Salary Overview
VS
Cooks, Restaurant earns $3,178 more (9.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$37,683
$34,504
Average (Mean) Salary
$38,385
$35,344
Total Employment
1,409,810
132,800
States with Higher Pay
37
12
Salary by State: Cooks, Restaurant vs Cooks, Short Order
Showing 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Restaurant pays more in 37 states; Cooks, Short Order pays more in 12.
| State | Cooks, Restaurant | Cooks, Short Order | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $32,180 | $22,330 | +$9,850 | ||
| Alaska | $40,140 | $37,780 | +$2,360 | ||
| Arizona | $38,670 | $46,630 | $-7,960 | ||
| Arkansas | $30,180 | $30,510 | $-330 | ||
| California | $44,880 | $42,930 | +$1,950 | ||
| Colorado | $41,600 | $42,450 | $-850 | ||
| Connecticut | $39,480 | $42,450 | $-2,970 | ||
| Delaware | $37,840 | $38,500 | $-660 | ||
| District of Columbia | $46,130 | $42,450 | +$3,680 | ||
| Florida | $37,020 | $34,240 | +$2,780 | ||
| Georgia | $35,940 | $26,870 | +$9,070 | ||
| Hawaii | $45,420 | $43,110 | +$2,310 | ||
| Idaho | $36,440 | $40,090 | $-3,650 | ||
| Illinois | $37,580 | $37,440 | +$140 | ||
| Indiana | $35,170 | $21,940 | +$13,230 | ||
| Iowa | $35,670 | $34,090 | +$1,580 | ||
| Kansas | $35,130 | $27,400 | +$7,730 | ||
| Kentucky | $34,640 | $31,840 | +$2,800 | ||
| Louisiana | $29,050 | $26,260 | +$2,790 | ||
| Maine | $45,290 | $35,360 | +$9,930 | ||
| Maryland | $37,820 | $36,800 | +$1,020 | ||
| Massachusetts | $45,600 | $44,290 | +$1,310 | ||
| Michigan | $36,980 | $34,510 | +$2,470 | ||
| Minnesota | $38,590 | $32,150 | +$6,440 | ||
| Mississippi | $29,560 | $28,180 | +$1,380 | ||
| Missouri | $36,940 | $38,490 | $-1,550 | ||
| Montana | $38,060 | $33,240 | +$4,820 | ||
| Nebraska | $37,030 | $30,530 | +$6,500 | ||
| Nevada | $38,610 | $37,780 | +$830 | ||
| New Hampshire | $40,200 | $32,330 | +$7,870 | ||
| New Jersey | $38,460 | $40,720 | $-2,260 | ||
| New Mexico | $35,020 | $37,150 | $-2,130 | ||
| New York | $43,680 | $35,550 | +$8,130 | ||
| North Carolina | $35,400 | $31,290 | +$4,110 | ||
| Ohio | $35,540 | $29,290 | +$6,250 | ||
| Oklahoma | $31,720 | $35,130 | $-3,410 | ||
| Oregon | $43,100 | $38,550 | +$4,550 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $36,580 | $19,910 | +$16,670 | ||
| Rhode Island | $36,510 | $46,250 | $-9,740 | ||
| South Carolina | $35,740 | $29,640 | +$6,100 | ||
| South Dakota | $36,220 | $32,380 | +$3,840 | ||
| Tennessee | $36,420 | $30,210 | +$6,210 | ||
| Texas | $34,760 | $25,320 | +$9,440 | ||
| Utah | $36,490 | $38,010 | $-1,520 | ||
| Vermont | $45,390 | $38,830 | +$6,560 | ||
| Virginia | $36,750 | $31,200 | +$5,550 | ||
| Washington | $46,800 | $42,760 | +$4,040 | ||
| West Virginia | $29,590 | $27,440 | +$2,150 | ||
| Wisconsin | $36,550 | $28,130 | +$8,420 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Restaurant vs Cooks, Short Order salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Restaurant or Cooks, Short Order?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Restaurant earns more than a Cooks, Short Order. The national median salary difference is $3,178 (9.2%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Restaurant earn more than a Cooks, Short Order?
A Cooks, Restaurant earns a higher median salary than a Cooks, Short Order in 37 out of 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Cooks, Short Order pays more in 12 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Restaurant vs Cooks, Short Order?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Restaurant is $37,683 per year, compared to $34,504 for a Cooks, Short Order, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Restaurant or Cooks, Short Order?
There are more people employed as Cooks, Restaurant. BLS reports approximately 1,409,810 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 132,800 Cooks, Short Order positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Cooks, Restaurant or Cooks, Short Order?
Both Cooks, Restaurant and Cooks, Short Order 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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