National Salary Overview
VS
Cooks, Restaurant earns $3,719 more (10.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$37,683
$33,964
Average (Mean) Salary
$38,385
$39,648
Total Employment
1,409,810
2,270,900
States with Higher Pay
36
15
Salary by State: Cooks, Restaurant vs Waiters and Waitresses
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Restaurant pays more in 36 states; Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 15.
| State | Cooks, Restaurant | Waiters and Waitresses | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $32,180 | $26,840 | +$5,340 | ||
| Alaska | $40,140 | $26,310 | +$13,830 | ||
| Arizona | $38,670 | $43,950 | $-5,280 | ||
| Arkansas | $30,180 | $24,680 | +$5,500 | ||
| California | $44,880 | $36,080 | +$8,800 | ||
| Colorado | $41,600 | $44,860 | $-3,260 | ||
| Connecticut | $39,480 | $37,770 | +$1,710 | ||
| Delaware | $37,840 | $36,880 | +$960 | ||
| District of Columbia | $46,130 | $47,850 | $-1,720 | ||
| Florida | $37,020 | $36,150 | +$870 | ||
| Georgia | $35,940 | $18,700 | +$17,240 | ||
| Hawaii | $45,420 | $62,390 | $-16,970 | ||
| Idaho | $36,440 | $30,050 | +$6,390 | ||
| Illinois | $37,580 | $31,200 | +$6,380 | ||
| Indiana | $35,170 | $28,480 | +$6,690 | ||
| Iowa | $35,670 | $21,000 | +$14,670 | ||
| Kansas | $35,130 | $36,120 | $-990 | ||
| Kentucky | $34,640 | $29,660 | +$4,980 | ||
| Louisiana | $29,050 | $15,080 | +$13,970 | ||
| Maine | $45,290 | $43,370 | +$1,920 | ||
| Maryland | $37,820 | $36,750 | +$1,070 | ||
| Massachusetts | $45,600 | $38,460 | +$7,140 | ||
| Michigan | $36,980 | $37,760 | $-780 | ||
| Minnesota | $38,590 | $25,470 | +$13,120 | ||
| Mississippi | $29,560 | $21,370 | +$8,190 | ||
| Missouri | $36,940 | $29,400 | +$7,540 | ||
| Montana | $38,060 | $23,370 | +$14,690 | ||
| Nebraska | $37,030 | $33,770 | +$3,260 | ||
| Nevada | $38,610 | $26,410 | +$12,200 | ||
| New Hampshire | $40,200 | $38,430 | +$1,770 | ||
| New Jersey | $38,460 | $44,960 | $-6,500 | ||
| New Mexico | $35,020 | $36,920 | $-1,900 | ||
| New York | $43,680 | $47,020 | $-3,340 | ||
| North Carolina | $35,400 | $32,150 | +$3,250 | ||
| North Dakota | $36,470 | $30,890 | +$5,580 | ||
| Ohio | $35,540 | $36,700 | $-1,160 | ||
| Oklahoma | $31,720 | $17,910 | +$13,810 | ||
| Oregon | $43,100 | $48,410 | $-5,310 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $36,580 | $34,690 | +$1,890 | ||
| Rhode Island | $36,510 | $35,420 | +$1,090 | ||
| South Carolina | $35,740 | $18,370 | +$17,370 | ||
| South Dakota | $36,220 | $28,990 | +$7,230 | ||
| Tennessee | $36,420 | $27,760 | +$8,660 | ||
| Texas | $34,760 | $23,240 | +$11,520 | ||
| Utah | $36,490 | $31,150 | +$5,340 | ||
| Vermont | $45,390 | $59,140 | $-13,750 | ||
| Virginia | $36,750 | $44,760 | $-8,010 | ||
| Washington | $46,800 | $56,130 | $-9,330 | ||
| West Virginia | $29,590 | $35,380 | $-5,790 | ||
| Wisconsin | $36,550 | $29,670 | +$6,880 | ||
| Wyoming | $36,830 | $23,920 | +$12,910 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Restaurant vs Waiters and Waitresses salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $3,719 (10.9%) based on 2025 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 36 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 15 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Restaurant vs Waiters and Waitresses?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Restaurant is $37,683 per year, compared to $33,964 for a Waiters and Waitresses, according to 2025 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 1,409,810 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 2,270,900 Waiters and Waitresses positions nationwide (2025).
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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