National Salary Overview
VS
Cooks, Restaurant earns $4,087 more (12.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$37,683
$33,595
Average (Mean) Salary
$38,385
$34,727
Total Employment
1,409,810
893,600
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 | $32,180 | $27,930 | +$4,250 | ||
| Alaska | $40,140 | $35,720 | +$4,420 | ||
| Arizona | $38,670 | $36,750 | +$1,920 | ||
| Arkansas | $30,180 | $27,660 | +$2,520 | ||
| California | $44,880 | $39,350 | +$5,530 | ||
| Colorado | $41,600 | $38,960 | +$2,640 | ||
| Connecticut | $39,480 | $36,650 | +$2,830 | ||
| Delaware | $37,840 | $35,930 | +$1,910 | ||
| District of Columbia | $46,130 | $39,600 | +$6,530 | ||
| Florida | $37,020 | $35,920 | +$1,100 | ||
| Georgia | $35,940 | $35,250 | +$690 | ||
| Hawaii | $45,420 | $38,160 | +$7,260 | ||
| Idaho | $36,440 | $31,510 | +$4,930 | ||
| Illinois | $37,580 | $34,850 | +$2,730 | ||
| Indiana | $35,170 | $29,700 | +$5,470 | ||
| Iowa | $35,670 | $30,360 | +$5,310 | ||
| Kansas | $35,130 | $30,280 | +$4,850 | ||
| Kentucky | $34,640 | $26,850 | +$7,790 | ||
| Louisiana | $29,050 | $23,620 | +$5,430 | ||
| Maine | $45,290 | $36,030 | +$9,260 | ||
| Maryland | $37,820 | $35,500 | +$2,320 | ||
| Massachusetts | $45,600 | $38,900 | +$6,700 | ||
| Michigan | $36,980 | $31,180 | +$5,800 | ||
| Minnesota | $38,590 | $34,850 | +$3,740 | ||
| Mississippi | $29,560 | $26,240 | +$3,320 | ||
| Missouri | $36,940 | $31,510 | +$5,430 | ||
| Montana | $38,060 | $33,860 | +$4,200 | ||
| Nebraska | $37,030 | $35,210 | +$1,820 | ||
| Nevada | $38,610 | $33,460 | +$5,150 | ||
| New Hampshire | $40,200 | $36,780 | +$3,420 | ||
| New Jersey | $38,460 | $35,540 | +$2,920 | ||
| New Mexico | $35,020 | $33,370 | +$1,650 | ||
| New York | $43,680 | $35,610 | +$8,070 | ||
| North Carolina | $35,400 | $30,260 | +$5,140 | ||
| North Dakota | $36,470 | $36,800 | $-330 | ||
| Ohio | $35,540 | $34,530 | +$1,010 | ||
| Oklahoma | $31,720 | $28,540 | +$3,180 | ||
| Oregon | $43,100 | $37,450 | +$5,650 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $36,580 | $30,840 | +$5,740 | ||
| Rhode Island | $36,510 | $35,470 | +$1,040 | ||
| South Carolina | $35,740 | $32,180 | +$3,560 | ||
| South Dakota | $36,220 | $30,430 | +$5,790 | ||
| Tennessee | $36,420 | $28,700 | +$7,720 | ||
| Texas | $34,760 | $30,650 | +$4,110 | ||
| Utah | $36,490 | $33,540 | +$2,950 | ||
| Vermont | $45,390 | $36,550 | +$8,840 | ||
| Virginia | $36,750 | $34,900 | +$1,850 | ||
| Washington | $46,800 | $40,910 | +$5,890 | ||
| West Virginia | $29,590 | $28,360 | +$1,230 | ||
| Wisconsin | $36,550 | $34,070 | +$2,480 | ||
| Wyoming | $36,830 | $36,110 | +$720 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Restaurant vs Food Preparation Workers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $4,087 (12.2%) based on 2025 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 $37,683 per year, compared to $33,595 for a Food Preparation Workers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Restaurant or Food Preparation Workers?
There are more people employed as Cooks, Restaurant. BLS reports approximately 1,409,810 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 893,600 Food Preparation Workers positions nationwide (2025).
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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