National Salary Overview
VS
Cooks, Short Order earns $1,965 more (6.5%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$32,049
$30,083
Average (Mean) Salary
$33,244
$35,911
Total Employment
122,980
2,237,890
States with Higher Pay
34
16
Salary by State: Cooks, Short Order vs Waiters and Waitresses
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Short Order pays more in 34 states; Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 16.
| State | Cooks, Short Order | Waiters and Waitresses | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $24,480 | $20,210 | +$4,270 | ||
| Alaska | $37,970 | $26,610 | +$11,360 | ||
| Arizona | $35,610 | $43,780 | $-8,170 | ||
| Arkansas | $26,740 | $26,160 | +$580 | ||
| California | $37,590 | $34,780 | +$2,810 | ||
| Colorado | $34,980 | $33,020 | +$1,960 | ||
| Connecticut | $37,860 | $35,530 | +$2,330 | ||
| Delaware | $29,000 | $28,150 | +$850 | ||
| District of Columbia | $37,010 | $37,390 | $-380 | ||
| Florida | $31,940 | $29,940 | +$2,000 | ||
| Georgia | $31,940 | $23,030 | +$8,910 | ||
| Hawaii | $41,610 | $28,180 | +$13,430 | ||
| Idaho | $29,470 | $29,710 | $-240 | ||
| Illinois | $33,700 | $28,030 | +$5,670 | ||
| Indiana | $28,860 | $23,990 | +$4,870 | ||
| Iowa | $29,580 | $27,000 | +$2,580 | ||
| Kansas | $31,110 | $30,520 | +$590 | ||
| Kentucky | $30,880 | $21,360 | +$9,520 | ||
| Louisiana | $22,900 | $22,230 | +$670 | ||
| Maine | $36,920 | $37,920 | $-1,000 | ||
| Maryland | $33,980 | $33,760 | +$220 | ||
| Massachusetts | $39,890 | $35,070 | +$4,820 | ||
| Michigan | $28,110 | $35,400 | $-7,290 | ||
| Minnesota | $35,450 | $23,850 | +$11,600 | ||
| Mississippi | $25,020 | $20,330 | +$4,690 | ||
| Missouri | $28,630 | $33,010 | $-4,380 | ||
| Montana | $28,180 | $20,990 | +$7,190 | ||
| Nebraska | $33,960 | $30,120 | +$3,840 | ||
| Nevada | $40,620 | $24,960 | +$15,660 | ||
| New Hampshire | $30,920 | $34,730 | $-3,810 | ||
| New Jersey | $33,430 | $37,270 | $-3,840 | ||
| New Mexico | $30,940 | $30,350 | +$590 | ||
| New York | $36,680 | $41,540 | $-4,860 | ||
| North Carolina | $24,810 | $21,060 | +$3,750 | ||
| North Dakota | $37,700 | $29,540 | +$8,160 | ||
| Ohio | $27,300 | $28,950 | $-1,650 | ||
| Oklahoma | $29,640 | $19,140 | +$10,500 | ||
| Oregon | $35,800 | $31,110 | +$4,690 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $28,660 | $29,710 | $-1,050 | ||
| South Carolina | $29,810 | $18,680 | +$11,130 | ||
| South Dakota | $30,240 | $28,000 | +$2,240 | ||
| Tennessee | $30,160 | $27,060 | +$3,100 | ||
| Texas | $28,520 | $27,030 | +$1,490 | ||
| Utah | $29,990 | $31,860 | $-1,870 | ||
| Vermont | $37,250 | $60,300 | $-23,050 | ||
| Virginia | $30,120 | $34,150 | $-4,030 | ||
| Washington | $43,230 | $48,980 | $-5,750 | ||
| West Virginia | $22,510 | $27,950 | $-5,440 | ||
| Wisconsin | $28,820 | $28,090 | +$730 | ||
| Wyoming | $31,940 | $21,790 | +$10,150 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Cooks, Short Order or Waiters and Waitresses?
On average across all states, a Cooks, Short Order earns more than a Waiters and Waitresses. The national median salary difference is $1,965 (6.5%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Cooks, Short Order earn more than a Waiters and Waitresses?
A Cooks, Short Order earns a higher median salary than a Waiters and Waitresses in 34 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 16 states.
What is the median salary for a Cooks, Short Order vs Waiters and Waitresses?
The national median salary for a Cooks, Short Order is $32,049 per year, compared to $30,083 for a Waiters and Waitresses, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Cooks, Short Order or Waiters and Waitresses?
There are more people employed as Waiters and Waitresses. BLS reports approximately 122,980 Cooks, Short Order positions and 2,237,890 Waiters and Waitresses positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Cooks, Short Order or Waiters and Waitresses?
Both Cooks, Short Order 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.
Explore Career Options
Build a Professional Resume Get Certified & Earn More Learn a New Language Build In-Demand Tech Skills Explore Top Courses Advance Your CareerCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.