National Salary Overview
VS
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median Salary
$33,726
Average (Mean)
$34,997
Employed Nationwide
293,910
Cooks, Restaurant earns $3,957 more (11.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$37,683
$33,726
Average (Mean) Salary
$38,385
$34,997
Total Employment
1,409,810
293,910
States with Higher Pay
48
3
Salary by State: Cooks, Restaurant vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Restaurant pays more in 48 states; Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 3.
| State | Cooks, Restaurant | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $32,180 | $29,000 | +$3,180 | ||
| Alaska | $40,140 | $38,090 | +$2,050 | ||
| Arizona | $38,670 | $35,390 | +$3,280 | ||
| Arkansas | $30,180 | $27,600 | +$2,580 | ||
| California | $44,880 | $39,010 | +$5,870 | ||
| Colorado | $41,600 | $38,900 | +$2,700 | ||
| Connecticut | $39,480 | $35,950 | +$3,530 | ||
| Delaware | $37,840 | $31,430 | +$6,410 | ||
| District of Columbia | $46,130 | $37,920 | +$8,210 | ||
| Florida | $37,020 | $33,930 | +$3,090 | ||
| Georgia | $35,940 | $31,530 | +$4,410 | ||
| Hawaii | $45,420 | $37,920 | +$7,500 | ||
| Idaho | $36,440 | $34,220 | +$2,220 | ||
| Illinois | $37,580 | $35,080 | +$2,500 | ||
| Indiana | $35,170 | $31,840 | +$3,330 | ||
| Iowa | $35,670 | $30,110 | +$5,560 | ||
| Kansas | $35,130 | $29,040 | +$6,090 | ||
| Kentucky | $34,640 | $32,200 | +$2,440 | ||
| Louisiana | $29,050 | $27,200 | +$1,850 | ||
| Maine | $45,290 | $37,680 | +$7,610 | ||
| Maryland | $37,820 | $36,650 | +$1,170 | ||
| Massachusetts | $45,600 | $36,750 | +$8,850 | ||
| Michigan | $36,980 | $34,260 | +$2,720 | ||
| Minnesota | $38,590 | $36,000 | +$2,590 | ||
| Mississippi | $29,560 | $27,250 | +$2,310 | ||
| Missouri | $36,940 | $31,840 | +$5,100 | ||
| Montana | $38,060 | $32,090 | +$5,970 | ||
| Nebraska | $37,030 | $31,540 | +$5,490 | ||
| Nevada | $38,610 | $36,030 | +$2,580 | ||
| New Hampshire | $40,200 | $36,710 | +$3,490 | ||
| New Jersey | $38,460 | $36,390 | +$2,070 | ||
| New Mexico | $35,020 | $35,740 | $-720 | ||
| New York | $43,680 | $39,370 | +$4,310 | ||
| North Carolina | $35,400 | $31,460 | +$3,940 | ||
| North Dakota | $36,470 | $36,910 | $-440 | ||
| Ohio | $35,540 | $30,440 | +$5,100 | ||
| Oklahoma | $31,720 | $28,490 | +$3,230 | ||
| Oregon | $43,100 | $36,620 | +$6,480 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $36,580 | $33,300 | +$3,280 | ||
| Rhode Island | $36,510 | $34,860 | +$1,650 | ||
| South Carolina | $35,740 | $31,740 | +$4,000 | ||
| South Dakota | $36,220 | $31,980 | +$4,240 | ||
| Tennessee | $36,420 | $30,670 | +$5,750 | ||
| Texas | $34,760 | $29,300 | +$5,460 | ||
| Utah | $36,490 | $30,170 | +$6,320 | ||
| Vermont | $45,390 | $37,540 | +$7,850 | ||
| Virginia | $36,750 | $35,090 | +$1,660 | ||
| Washington | $46,800 | $38,870 | +$7,930 | ||
| West Virginia | $29,590 | $30,170 | $-580 | ||
| Wisconsin | $36,550 | $34,670 | +$1,880 | ||
| Wyoming | $36,830 | $33,090 | +$3,740 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Restaurant vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $3,957 (11.7%) based on 2025 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 48 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 3 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Restaurant vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Restaurant is $37,683 per year, compared to $33,726 for a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Restaurant or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
There are more people employed as Cooks, Restaurant. BLS reports approximately 1,409,810 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 293,910 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant positions nationwide (2025).
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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