National Salary Overview
VS
Cooks, Restaurant earns $3,556 more (11.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$34,852
$31,295
Average (Mean) Salary
$35,682
$32,435
Total Employment
1,412,370
879,610
States with Higher Pay
50
1
Salary by State: Cooks, Restaurant vs Food Preparation Workers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Restaurant pays more in 50 states; Food Preparation Workers pays more in 1.
| State | Cooks, Restaurant | Food Preparation Workers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $28,940 | $23,880 | +$5,060 | ||
| Alaska | $37,160 | $36,360 | +$800 | ||
| Arizona | $37,460 | $33,680 | +$3,780 | ||
| Arkansas | $28,880 | $28,850 | +$30 | ||
| California | $41,400 | $37,130 | +$4,270 | ||
| Colorado | $38,130 | $37,470 | +$660 | ||
| Connecticut | $36,830 | $34,690 | +$2,140 | ||
| Delaware | $33,560 | $30,080 | +$3,480 | ||
| District of Columbia | $38,120 | $37,630 | +$490 | ||
| Florida | $35,120 | $31,950 | +$3,170 | ||
| Georgia | $30,400 | $29,720 | +$680 | ||
| Hawaii | $41,500 | $36,360 | +$5,140 | ||
| Idaho | $34,160 | $28,970 | +$5,190 | ||
| Illinois | $36,300 | $31,660 | +$4,640 | ||
| Indiana | $30,580 | $30,030 | +$550 | ||
| Iowa | $32,090 | $28,700 | +$3,390 | ||
| Kansas | $32,310 | $28,790 | +$3,520 | ||
| Kentucky | $29,400 | $27,630 | +$1,770 | ||
| Louisiana | $28,710 | $22,390 | +$6,320 | ||
| Maine | $38,700 | $34,020 | +$4,680 | ||
| Maryland | $35,810 | $33,220 | +$2,590 | ||
| Massachusetts | $43,560 | $36,520 | +$7,040 | ||
| Michigan | $35,250 | $31,920 | +$3,330 | ||
| Minnesota | $37,480 | $33,810 | +$3,670 | ||
| Mississippi | $28,950 | $23,720 | +$5,230 | ||
| Missouri | $33,630 | $28,670 | +$4,960 | ||
| Montana | $34,880 | $29,550 | +$5,330 | ||
| Nebraska | $35,230 | $29,690 | +$5,540 | ||
| Nevada | $36,490 | $34,210 | +$2,280 | ||
| New Hampshire | $37,930 | $34,420 | +$3,510 | ||
| New Jersey | $37,250 | $34,670 | +$2,580 | ||
| New Mexico | $30,150 | $27,300 | +$2,850 | ||
| New York | $39,110 | $36,540 | +$2,570 | ||
| North Carolina | $34,020 | $27,820 | +$6,200 | ||
| North Dakota | $35,340 | $34,390 | +$950 | ||
| Ohio | $30,980 | $29,040 | +$1,940 | ||
| Oklahoma | $29,910 | $28,110 | +$1,800 | ||
| Oregon | $36,690 | $35,850 | +$840 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $32,210 | $28,640 | +$3,570 | ||
| Rhode Island | $37,850 | $30,700 | +$7,150 | ||
| South Carolina | $31,870 | $28,320 | +$3,550 | ||
| South Dakota | $33,940 | $28,260 | +$5,680 | ||
| Tennessee | $34,260 | $27,090 | +$7,170 | ||
| Texas | $30,600 | $28,890 | +$1,710 | ||
| Utah | $37,120 | $31,590 | +$5,530 | ||
| Vermont | $44,000 | $34,750 | +$9,250 | ||
| Virginia | $34,890 | $29,280 | +$5,610 | ||
| Washington | $43,990 | $40,390 | +$3,600 | ||
| West Virginia | $28,100 | $27,510 | +$590 | ||
| Wisconsin | $35,870 | $30,080 | +$5,790 | ||
| Wyoming | $30,370 | $31,140 | $-770 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Restaurant or Food Preparation Workers?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Restaurant earns more than a Food Preparation Workers. The national median salary difference is $3,556 (11.4%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Restaurant earn more than a Food Preparation Workers?
A Cooks, Restaurant earns a higher median salary than a Food Preparation Workers in 50 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Food Preparation Workers pays more in 1 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Restaurant vs Food Preparation Workers?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Restaurant is $34,852 per year, compared to $31,295 for a Food Preparation Workers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Restaurant or Food Preparation Workers?
There are more people employed as Cooks, Restaurant. BLS reports approximately 1,412,370 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 879,610 Food Preparation Workers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Cooks, Restaurant or Food Preparation Workers?
Both Cooks, Restaurant and Food Preparation 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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