National Salary Overview
VS
Cooks, Restaurant earns $4,769 more (15.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$34,852
$30,083
Average (Mean) Salary
$35,682
$35,911
Total Employment
1,412,370
2,237,890
States with Higher Pay
44
7
Salary by State: Cooks, Restaurant vs Waiters and Waitresses
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Restaurant pays more in 44 states; Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 7.
| State | Cooks, Restaurant | Waiters and Waitresses | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $28,940 | $20,210 | +$8,730 | ||
| Alaska | $37,160 | $26,610 | +$10,550 | ||
| Arizona | $37,460 | $43,780 | $-6,320 | ||
| Arkansas | $28,880 | $26,160 | +$2,720 | ||
| California | $41,400 | $34,780 | +$6,620 | ||
| Colorado | $38,130 | $33,020 | +$5,110 | ||
| Connecticut | $36,830 | $35,530 | +$1,300 | ||
| Delaware | $33,560 | $28,150 | +$5,410 | ||
| District of Columbia | $38,120 | $37,390 | +$730 | ||
| Florida | $35,120 | $29,940 | +$5,180 | ||
| Georgia | $30,400 | $23,030 | +$7,370 | ||
| Hawaii | $41,500 | $28,180 | +$13,320 | ||
| Idaho | $34,160 | $29,710 | +$4,450 | ||
| Illinois | $36,300 | $28,030 | +$8,270 | ||
| Indiana | $30,580 | $23,990 | +$6,590 | ||
| Iowa | $32,090 | $27,000 | +$5,090 | ||
| Kansas | $32,310 | $30,520 | +$1,790 | ||
| Kentucky | $29,400 | $21,360 | +$8,040 | ||
| Louisiana | $28,710 | $22,230 | +$6,480 | ||
| Maine | $38,700 | $37,920 | +$780 | ||
| Maryland | $35,810 | $33,760 | +$2,050 | ||
| Massachusetts | $43,560 | $35,070 | +$8,490 | ||
| Michigan | $35,250 | $35,400 | $-150 | ||
| Minnesota | $37,480 | $23,850 | +$13,630 | ||
| Mississippi | $28,950 | $20,330 | +$8,620 | ||
| Missouri | $33,630 | $33,010 | +$620 | ||
| Montana | $34,880 | $20,990 | +$13,890 | ||
| Nebraska | $35,230 | $30,120 | +$5,110 | ||
| Nevada | $36,490 | $24,960 | +$11,530 | ||
| New Hampshire | $37,930 | $34,730 | +$3,200 | ||
| New Jersey | $37,250 | $37,270 | $-20 | ||
| New Mexico | $30,150 | $30,350 | $-200 | ||
| New York | $39,110 | $41,540 | $-2,430 | ||
| North Carolina | $34,020 | $21,060 | +$12,960 | ||
| North Dakota | $35,340 | $29,540 | +$5,800 | ||
| Ohio | $30,980 | $28,950 | +$2,030 | ||
| Oklahoma | $29,910 | $19,140 | +$10,770 | ||
| Oregon | $36,690 | $31,110 | +$5,580 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $32,210 | $29,710 | +$2,500 | ||
| Rhode Island | $37,850 | $31,940 | +$5,910 | ||
| South Carolina | $31,870 | $18,680 | +$13,190 | ||
| South Dakota | $33,940 | $28,000 | +$5,940 | ||
| Tennessee | $34,260 | $27,060 | +$7,200 | ||
| Texas | $30,600 | $27,030 | +$3,570 | ||
| Utah | $37,120 | $31,860 | +$5,260 | ||
| Vermont | $44,000 | $60,300 | $-16,300 | ||
| Virginia | $34,890 | $34,150 | +$740 | ||
| Washington | $43,990 | $48,980 | $-4,990 | ||
| West Virginia | $28,100 | $27,950 | +$150 | ||
| Wisconsin | $35,870 | $28,090 | +$7,780 | ||
| Wyoming | $30,370 | $21,790 | +$8,580 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Restaurant or Waiters and Waitresses?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Restaurant earns more than a Waiters and Waitresses. The national median salary difference is $4,769 (15.9%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Restaurant earn more than a Waiters and Waitresses?
A Cooks, Restaurant earns a higher median salary than a Waiters and Waitresses in 44 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 7 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Restaurant vs Waiters and Waitresses?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Restaurant is $34,852 per year, compared to $30,083 for a Waiters and Waitresses, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Restaurant or Waiters and Waitresses?
There are more people employed as Waiters and Waitresses. BLS reports approximately 1,412,370 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 2,237,890 Waiters and Waitresses positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Cooks, Restaurant or Waiters and Waitresses?
Both Cooks, Restaurant and Waiters and Waitresses 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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