National Salary Overview
VS
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median Salary
$31,012
Average (Mean)
$32,463
Employed Nationwide
267,840
Cooks, Restaurant earns $3,840 more (12.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$34,852
$31,012
Average (Mean) Salary
$35,682
$32,463
Total Employment
1,412,370
267,840
States with Higher Pay
49
2
Salary by State: Cooks, Restaurant vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Restaurant pays more in 49 states; Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 2.
| State | Cooks, Restaurant | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $28,940 | $26,590 | +$2,350 | ||
| Alaska | $37,160 | $33,630 | +$3,530 | ||
| Arizona | $37,460 | $34,070 | +$3,390 | ||
| Arkansas | $28,880 | $26,920 | +$1,960 | ||
| California | $41,400 | $36,790 | +$4,610 | ||
| Colorado | $38,130 | $36,420 | +$1,710 | ||
| Connecticut | $36,830 | $35,130 | +$1,700 | ||
| Delaware | $33,560 | $29,060 | +$4,500 | ||
| District of Columbia | $38,120 | $37,280 | +$840 | ||
| Florida | $35,120 | $30,190 | +$4,930 | ||
| Georgia | $30,400 | $29,820 | +$580 | ||
| Hawaii | $41,500 | $35,660 | +$5,840 | ||
| Idaho | $34,160 | $28,810 | +$5,350 | ||
| Illinois | $36,300 | $31,940 | +$4,360 | ||
| Indiana | $30,580 | $29,570 | +$1,010 | ||
| Iowa | $32,090 | $29,350 | +$2,740 | ||
| Kansas | $32,310 | $23,880 | +$8,430 | ||
| Kentucky | $29,400 | $29,810 | $-410 | ||
| Louisiana | $28,710 | $26,560 | +$2,150 | ||
| Maine | $38,700 | $33,080 | +$5,620 | ||
| Maryland | $35,810 | $33,870 | +$1,940 | ||
| Massachusetts | $43,560 | $35,770 | +$7,790 | ||
| Michigan | $35,250 | $30,560 | +$4,690 | ||
| Minnesota | $37,480 | $34,040 | +$3,440 | ||
| Mississippi | $28,950 | $22,880 | +$6,070 | ||
| Missouri | $33,630 | $27,970 | +$5,660 | ||
| Montana | $34,880 | $30,390 | +$4,490 | ||
| Nebraska | $35,230 | $29,390 | +$5,840 | ||
| Nevada | $36,490 | $31,760 | +$4,730 | ||
| New Hampshire | $37,930 | $33,700 | +$4,230 | ||
| New Jersey | $37,250 | $34,310 | +$2,940 | ||
| New Mexico | $30,150 | $28,390 | +$1,760 | ||
| New York | $39,110 | $36,910 | +$2,200 | ||
| North Carolina | $34,020 | $29,430 | +$4,590 | ||
| North Dakota | $35,340 | $33,780 | +$1,560 | ||
| Ohio | $30,980 | $29,150 | +$1,830 | ||
| Oklahoma | $29,910 | $23,650 | +$6,260 | ||
| Oregon | $36,690 | $34,500 | +$2,190 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $32,210 | $30,680 | +$1,530 | ||
| Rhode Island | $37,850 | $32,100 | +$5,750 | ||
| South Carolina | $31,870 | $29,200 | +$2,670 | ||
| South Dakota | $33,940 | $32,030 | +$1,910 | ||
| Tennessee | $34,260 | $28,830 | +$5,430 | ||
| Texas | $30,600 | $26,920 | +$3,680 | ||
| Utah | $37,120 | $27,000 | +$10,120 | ||
| Vermont | $44,000 | $33,090 | +$10,910 | ||
| Virginia | $34,890 | $30,540 | +$4,350 | ||
| Washington | $43,990 | $36,370 | +$7,620 | ||
| West Virginia | $28,100 | $27,750 | +$350 | ||
| Wisconsin | $35,870 | $31,510 | +$4,360 | ||
| Wyoming | $30,370 | $30,610 | $-240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Restaurant or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Restaurant earns more than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant. The national median salary difference is $3,840 (12.4%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Restaurant earn more than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
A Cooks, Restaurant earns a higher median salary than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in 49 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 2 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Restaurant vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Restaurant is $34,852 per year, compared to $31,012 for a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Restaurant or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
There are more people employed as Cooks, Restaurant. BLS reports approximately 1,412,370 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 267,840 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Cooks, Restaurant or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
Both Cooks, Restaurant and Food Servers, Nonrestaurant 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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