National Salary Overview
VS
Cooks, Short Order earns $540 more (1.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$34,504
$33,964
Average (Mean) Salary
$35,344
$39,648
Total Employment
132,800
2,270,900
States with Higher Pay
27
22
Salary by State: Cooks, Short Order vs Waiters and Waitresses
Showing 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. Cooks, Short Order pays more in 27 states; Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 22.
| State | Cooks, Short Order | Waiters and Waitresses | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $22,330 | $26,840 | $-4,510 | ||
| Alaska | $37,780 | $26,310 | +$11,470 | ||
| Arizona | $46,630 | $43,950 | +$2,680 | ||
| Arkansas | $30,510 | $24,680 | +$5,830 | ||
| California | $42,930 | $36,080 | +$6,850 | ||
| Colorado | $42,450 | $44,860 | $-2,410 | ||
| Connecticut | $42,450 | $37,770 | +$4,680 | ||
| Delaware | $38,500 | $36,880 | +$1,620 | ||
| District of Columbia | $42,450 | $47,850 | $-5,400 | ||
| Florida | $34,240 | $36,150 | $-1,910 | ||
| Georgia | $26,870 | $18,700 | +$8,170 | ||
| Hawaii | $43,110 | $62,390 | $-19,280 | ||
| Idaho | $40,090 | $30,050 | +$10,040 | ||
| Illinois | $37,440 | $31,200 | +$6,240 | ||
| Indiana | $21,940 | $28,480 | $-6,540 | ||
| Iowa | $34,090 | $21,000 | +$13,090 | ||
| Kansas | $27,400 | $36,120 | $-8,720 | ||
| Kentucky | $31,840 | $29,660 | +$2,180 | ||
| Louisiana | $26,260 | $15,080 | +$11,180 | ||
| Maine | $35,360 | $43,370 | $-8,010 | ||
| Maryland | $36,800 | $36,750 | +$50 | ||
| Massachusetts | $44,290 | $38,460 | +$5,830 | ||
| Michigan | $34,510 | $37,760 | $-3,250 | ||
| Minnesota | $32,150 | $25,470 | +$6,680 | ||
| Mississippi | $28,180 | $21,370 | +$6,810 | ||
| Missouri | $38,490 | $29,400 | +$9,090 | ||
| Montana | $33,240 | $23,370 | +$9,870 | ||
| Nebraska | $30,530 | $33,770 | $-3,240 | ||
| Nevada | $37,780 | $26,410 | +$11,370 | ||
| New Hampshire | $32,330 | $38,430 | $-6,100 | ||
| New Jersey | $40,720 | $44,960 | $-4,240 | ||
| New Mexico | $37,150 | $36,920 | +$230 | ||
| New York | $35,550 | $47,020 | $-11,470 | ||
| North Carolina | $31,290 | $32,150 | $-860 | ||
| Ohio | $29,290 | $36,700 | $-7,410 | ||
| Oklahoma | $35,130 | $17,910 | +$17,220 | ||
| Oregon | $38,550 | $48,410 | $-9,860 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $19,910 | $34,690 | $-14,780 | ||
| Rhode Island | $46,250 | $35,420 | +$10,830 | ||
| South Carolina | $29,640 | $18,370 | +$11,270 | ||
| South Dakota | $32,380 | $28,990 | +$3,390 | ||
| Tennessee | $30,210 | $27,760 | +$2,450 | ||
| Texas | $25,320 | $23,240 | +$2,080 | ||
| Utah | $38,010 | $31,150 | +$6,860 | ||
| Vermont | $38,830 | $59,140 | $-20,310 | ||
| Virginia | $31,200 | $44,760 | $-13,560 | ||
| Washington | $42,760 | $56,130 | $-13,370 | ||
| West Virginia | $27,440 | $35,380 | $-7,940 | ||
| Wisconsin | $28,130 | $29,670 | $-1,540 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Cooks, Short Order vs Waiters and Waitresses salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $540 (1.6%) based on 2025 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 27 out of 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 22 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 $34,504 per year, compared to $33,964 for a Waiters and Waitresses, according to 2025 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 132,800 Cooks, Short Order positions and 2,270,900 Waiters and Waitresses positions nationwide (2025).
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.
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