National Salary Overview
VS
Cooks, Short Order earns $909 more (2.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$34,504
$33,595
Average (Mean) Salary
$35,344
$34,727
Total Employment
132,800
893,600
States with Higher Pay
31
18
Salary by State: Cooks, Short Order vs Food Preparation Workers
Showing 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Short Order pays more in 31 states; Food Preparation Workers pays more in 18.
| State | Cooks, Short Order | Food Preparation Workers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $22,330 | $27,930 | $-5,600 | ||
| Alaska | $37,780 | $35,720 | +$2,060 | ||
| Arizona | $46,630 | $36,750 | +$9,880 | ||
| Arkansas | $30,510 | $27,660 | +$2,850 | ||
| California | $42,930 | $39,350 | +$3,580 | ||
| Colorado | $42,450 | $38,960 | +$3,490 | ||
| Connecticut | $42,450 | $36,650 | +$5,800 | ||
| Delaware | $38,500 | $35,930 | +$2,570 | ||
| District of Columbia | $42,450 | $39,600 | +$2,850 | ||
| Florida | $34,240 | $35,920 | $-1,680 | ||
| Georgia | $26,870 | $35,250 | $-8,380 | ||
| Hawaii | $43,110 | $38,160 | +$4,950 | ||
| Idaho | $40,090 | $31,510 | +$8,580 | ||
| Illinois | $37,440 | $34,850 | +$2,590 | ||
| Indiana | $21,940 | $29,700 | $-7,760 | ||
| Iowa | $34,090 | $30,360 | +$3,730 | ||
| Kansas | $27,400 | $30,280 | $-2,880 | ||
| Kentucky | $31,840 | $26,850 | +$4,990 | ||
| Louisiana | $26,260 | $23,620 | +$2,640 | ||
| Maine | $35,360 | $36,030 | $-670 | ||
| Maryland | $36,800 | $35,500 | +$1,300 | ||
| Massachusetts | $44,290 | $38,900 | +$5,390 | ||
| Michigan | $34,510 | $31,180 | +$3,330 | ||
| Minnesota | $32,150 | $34,850 | $-2,700 | ||
| Mississippi | $28,180 | $26,240 | +$1,940 | ||
| Missouri | $38,490 | $31,510 | +$6,980 | ||
| Montana | $33,240 | $33,860 | $-620 | ||
| Nebraska | $30,530 | $35,210 | $-4,680 | ||
| Nevada | $37,780 | $33,460 | +$4,320 | ||
| New Hampshire | $32,330 | $36,780 | $-4,450 | ||
| New Jersey | $40,720 | $35,540 | +$5,180 | ||
| New Mexico | $37,150 | $33,370 | +$3,780 | ||
| New York | $35,550 | $35,610 | $-60 | ||
| North Carolina | $31,290 | $30,260 | +$1,030 | ||
| Ohio | $29,290 | $34,530 | $-5,240 | ||
| Oklahoma | $35,130 | $28,540 | +$6,590 | ||
| Oregon | $38,550 | $37,450 | +$1,100 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $19,910 | $30,840 | $-10,930 | ||
| Rhode Island | $46,250 | $35,470 | +$10,780 | ||
| South Carolina | $29,640 | $32,180 | $-2,540 | ||
| South Dakota | $32,380 | $30,430 | +$1,950 | ||
| Tennessee | $30,210 | $28,700 | +$1,510 | ||
| Texas | $25,320 | $30,650 | $-5,330 | ||
| Utah | $38,010 | $33,540 | +$4,470 | ||
| Vermont | $38,830 | $36,550 | +$2,280 | ||
| Virginia | $31,200 | $34,900 | $-3,700 | ||
| Washington | $42,760 | $40,910 | +$1,850 | ||
| West Virginia | $27,440 | $28,360 | $-920 | ||
| Wisconsin | $28,130 | $34,070 | $-5,940 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Short Order vs Food Preparation Workers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Short Order or Food Preparation Workers?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Short Order earns more than a Food Preparation Workers. The national median salary difference is $909 (2.7%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Short Order earn more than a Food Preparation Workers?
A Cooks, Short Order earns a higher median salary than a Food Preparation Workers in 31 out of 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Food Preparation Workers pays more in 18 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Short Order vs Food Preparation Workers?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Short Order is $34,504 per year, compared to $33,595 for a Food Preparation Workers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Short Order or Food Preparation Workers?
There are more people employed as Food Preparation Workers. BLS reports approximately 132,800 Cooks, Short Order positions and 893,600 Food Preparation Workers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Cooks, Short Order or Food Preparation Workers?
Both Cooks, Short Order 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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