National Salary Overview
VS
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median Salary
$33,726
Average (Mean)
$34,997
Employed Nationwide
293,910
Cooks, Short Order earns $778 more (2.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$34,504
$33,726
Average (Mean) Salary
$35,344
$34,997
Total Employment
132,800
293,910
States with Higher Pay
28
21
Salary by State: Cooks, Short Order vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Showing 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Short Order pays more in 28 states; Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 21.
| State | Cooks, Short Order | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $22,330 | $29,000 | $-6,670 | ||
| Alaska | $37,780 | $38,090 | $-310 | ||
| Arizona | $46,630 | $35,390 | +$11,240 | ||
| Arkansas | $30,510 | $27,600 | +$2,910 | ||
| California | $42,930 | $39,010 | +$3,920 | ||
| Colorado | $42,450 | $38,900 | +$3,550 | ||
| Connecticut | $42,450 | $35,950 | +$6,500 | ||
| Delaware | $38,500 | $31,430 | +$7,070 | ||
| District of Columbia | $42,450 | $37,920 | +$4,530 | ||
| Florida | $34,240 | $33,930 | +$310 | ||
| Georgia | $26,870 | $31,530 | $-4,660 | ||
| Hawaii | $43,110 | $37,920 | +$5,190 | ||
| Idaho | $40,090 | $34,220 | +$5,870 | ||
| Illinois | $37,440 | $35,080 | +$2,360 | ||
| Indiana | $21,940 | $31,840 | $-9,900 | ||
| Iowa | $34,090 | $30,110 | +$3,980 | ||
| Kansas | $27,400 | $29,040 | $-1,640 | ||
| Kentucky | $31,840 | $32,200 | $-360 | ||
| Louisiana | $26,260 | $27,200 | $-940 | ||
| Maine | $35,360 | $37,680 | $-2,320 | ||
| Maryland | $36,800 | $36,650 | +$150 | ||
| Massachusetts | $44,290 | $36,750 | +$7,540 | ||
| Michigan | $34,510 | $34,260 | +$250 | ||
| Minnesota | $32,150 | $36,000 | $-3,850 | ||
| Mississippi | $28,180 | $27,250 | +$930 | ||
| Missouri | $38,490 | $31,840 | +$6,650 | ||
| Montana | $33,240 | $32,090 | +$1,150 | ||
| Nebraska | $30,530 | $31,540 | $-1,010 | ||
| Nevada | $37,780 | $36,030 | +$1,750 | ||
| New Hampshire | $32,330 | $36,710 | $-4,380 | ||
| New Jersey | $40,720 | $36,390 | +$4,330 | ||
| New Mexico | $37,150 | $35,740 | +$1,410 | ||
| New York | $35,550 | $39,370 | $-3,820 | ||
| North Carolina | $31,290 | $31,460 | $-170 | ||
| Ohio | $29,290 | $30,440 | $-1,150 | ||
| Oklahoma | $35,130 | $28,490 | +$6,640 | ||
| Oregon | $38,550 | $36,620 | +$1,930 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $19,910 | $33,300 | $-13,390 | ||
| Rhode Island | $46,250 | $34,860 | +$11,390 | ||
| South Carolina | $29,640 | $31,740 | $-2,100 | ||
| South Dakota | $32,380 | $31,980 | +$400 | ||
| Tennessee | $30,210 | $30,670 | $-460 | ||
| Texas | $25,320 | $29,300 | $-3,980 | ||
| Utah | $38,010 | $30,170 | +$7,840 | ||
| Vermont | $38,830 | $37,540 | +$1,290 | ||
| Virginia | $31,200 | $35,090 | $-3,890 | ||
| Washington | $42,760 | $38,870 | +$3,890 | ||
| West Virginia | $27,440 | $30,170 | $-2,730 | ||
| Wisconsin | $28,130 | $34,670 | $-6,540 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Short Order vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $778 (2.3%) based on 2025 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 28 out of 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 21 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 $34,504 per year, compared to $33,726 for a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant, according to 2025 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 132,800 Cooks, Short Order positions and 293,910 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant positions nationwide (2025).
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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