National Salary Overview
VS
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median Salary
$31,012
Average (Mean)
$32,463
Employed Nationwide
267,840
Cooks, Short Order earns $1,036 more (3.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$32,049
$31,012
Average (Mean) Salary
$33,244
$32,463
Total Employment
122,980
267,840
States with Higher Pay
31
19
Salary by State: Cooks, Short Order vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Short Order pays more in 31 states; Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 19.
| State | Cooks, Short Order | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $24,480 | $26,590 | $-2,110 | ||
| Alaska | $37,970 | $33,630 | +$4,340 | ||
| Arizona | $35,610 | $34,070 | +$1,540 | ||
| Arkansas | $26,740 | $26,920 | $-180 | ||
| California | $37,590 | $36,790 | +$800 | ||
| Colorado | $34,980 | $36,420 | $-1,440 | ||
| Connecticut | $37,860 | $35,130 | +$2,730 | ||
| Delaware | $29,000 | $29,060 | $-60 | ||
| District of Columbia | $37,010 | $37,280 | $-270 | ||
| Florida | $31,940 | $30,190 | +$1,750 | ||
| Georgia | $31,940 | $29,820 | +$2,120 | ||
| Hawaii | $41,610 | $35,660 | +$5,950 | ||
| Idaho | $29,470 | $28,810 | +$660 | ||
| Illinois | $33,700 | $31,940 | +$1,760 | ||
| Indiana | $28,860 | $29,570 | $-710 | ||
| Iowa | $29,580 | $29,350 | +$230 | ||
| Kansas | $31,110 | $23,880 | +$7,230 | ||
| Kentucky | $30,880 | $29,810 | +$1,070 | ||
| Louisiana | $22,900 | $26,560 | $-3,660 | ||
| Maine | $36,920 | $33,080 | +$3,840 | ||
| Maryland | $33,980 | $33,870 | +$110 | ||
| Massachusetts | $39,890 | $35,770 | +$4,120 | ||
| Michigan | $28,110 | $30,560 | $-2,450 | ||
| Minnesota | $35,450 | $34,040 | +$1,410 | ||
| Mississippi | $25,020 | $22,880 | +$2,140 | ||
| Missouri | $28,630 | $27,970 | +$660 | ||
| Montana | $28,180 | $30,390 | $-2,210 | ||
| Nebraska | $33,960 | $29,390 | +$4,570 | ||
| Nevada | $40,620 | $31,760 | +$8,860 | ||
| New Hampshire | $30,920 | $33,700 | $-2,780 | ||
| New Jersey | $33,430 | $34,310 | $-880 | ||
| New Mexico | $30,940 | $28,390 | +$2,550 | ||
| New York | $36,680 | $36,910 | $-230 | ||
| North Carolina | $24,810 | $29,430 | $-4,620 | ||
| North Dakota | $37,700 | $33,780 | +$3,920 | ||
| Ohio | $27,300 | $29,150 | $-1,850 | ||
| Oklahoma | $29,640 | $23,650 | +$5,990 | ||
| Oregon | $35,800 | $34,500 | +$1,300 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $28,660 | $30,680 | $-2,020 | ||
| South Carolina | $29,810 | $29,200 | +$610 | ||
| South Dakota | $30,240 | $32,030 | $-1,790 | ||
| Tennessee | $30,160 | $28,830 | +$1,330 | ||
| Texas | $28,520 | $26,920 | +$1,600 | ||
| Utah | $29,990 | $27,000 | +$2,990 | ||
| Vermont | $37,250 | $33,090 | +$4,160 | ||
| Virginia | $30,120 | $30,540 | $-420 | ||
| Washington | $43,230 | $36,370 | +$6,860 | ||
| West Virginia | $22,510 | $27,750 | $-5,240 | ||
| Wisconsin | $28,820 | $31,510 | $-2,690 | ||
| Wyoming | $31,940 | $30,610 | +$1,330 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Short Order or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Short Order earns more than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant. The national median salary difference is $1,036 (3.3%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Short Order earn more than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
A Cooks, Short Order earns a higher median salary than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in 31 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 19 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Short Order vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Short Order is $32,049 per year, compared to $31,012 for a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Short Order or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
There are more people employed as Food Servers, Nonrestaurant. BLS reports approximately 122,980 Cooks, Short Order positions and 267,840 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Cooks, Short Order or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
Both Cooks, Short Order 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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