National Salary Overview
VS
Waiters and Waitresses earns $368 more (1.1%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$33,595
$33,964
Average (Mean) Salary
$34,727
$39,648
Total Employment
893,600
2,270,900
States with Higher Pay
27
24
Salary by State: Food Preparation Workers vs Waiters and Waitresses
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Food Preparation Workers pays more in 27 states; Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 24.
| State | Food Preparation Workers | Waiters and Waitresses | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,930 | $26,840 | +$1,090 | ||
| Alaska | $35,720 | $26,310 | +$9,410 | ||
| Arizona | $36,750 | $43,950 | $-7,200 | ||
| Arkansas | $27,660 | $24,680 | +$2,980 | ||
| California | $39,350 | $36,080 | +$3,270 | ||
| Colorado | $38,960 | $44,860 | $-5,900 | ||
| Connecticut | $36,650 | $37,770 | $-1,120 | ||
| Delaware | $35,930 | $36,880 | $-950 | ||
| District of Columbia | $39,600 | $47,850 | $-8,250 | ||
| Florida | $35,920 | $36,150 | $-230 | ||
| Georgia | $35,250 | $18,700 | +$16,550 | ||
| Hawaii | $38,160 | $62,390 | $-24,230 | ||
| Idaho | $31,510 | $30,050 | +$1,460 | ||
| Illinois | $34,850 | $31,200 | +$3,650 | ||
| Indiana | $29,700 | $28,480 | +$1,220 | ||
| Iowa | $30,360 | $21,000 | +$9,360 | ||
| Kansas | $30,280 | $36,120 | $-5,840 | ||
| Kentucky | $26,850 | $29,660 | $-2,810 | ||
| Louisiana | $23,620 | $15,080 | +$8,540 | ||
| Maine | $36,030 | $43,370 | $-7,340 | ||
| Maryland | $35,500 | $36,750 | $-1,250 | ||
| Massachusetts | $38,900 | $38,460 | +$440 | ||
| Michigan | $31,180 | $37,760 | $-6,580 | ||
| Minnesota | $34,850 | $25,470 | +$9,380 | ||
| Mississippi | $26,240 | $21,370 | +$4,870 | ||
| Missouri | $31,510 | $29,400 | +$2,110 | ||
| Montana | $33,860 | $23,370 | +$10,490 | ||
| Nebraska | $35,210 | $33,770 | +$1,440 | ||
| Nevada | $33,460 | $26,410 | +$7,050 | ||
| New Hampshire | $36,780 | $38,430 | $-1,650 | ||
| New Jersey | $35,540 | $44,960 | $-9,420 | ||
| New Mexico | $33,370 | $36,920 | $-3,550 | ||
| New York | $35,610 | $47,020 | $-11,410 | ||
| North Carolina | $30,260 | $32,150 | $-1,890 | ||
| North Dakota | $36,800 | $30,890 | +$5,910 | ||
| Ohio | $34,530 | $36,700 | $-2,170 | ||
| Oklahoma | $28,540 | $17,910 | +$10,630 | ||
| Oregon | $37,450 | $48,410 | $-10,960 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $30,840 | $34,690 | $-3,850 | ||
| Rhode Island | $35,470 | $35,420 | +$50 | ||
| South Carolina | $32,180 | $18,370 | +$13,810 | ||
| South Dakota | $30,430 | $28,990 | +$1,440 | ||
| Tennessee | $28,700 | $27,760 | +$940 | ||
| Texas | $30,650 | $23,240 | +$7,410 | ||
| Utah | $33,540 | $31,150 | +$2,390 | ||
| Vermont | $36,550 | $59,140 | $-22,590 | ||
| Virginia | $34,900 | $44,760 | $-9,860 | ||
| Washington | $40,910 | $56,130 | $-15,220 | ||
| West Virginia | $28,360 | $35,380 | $-7,020 | ||
| Wisconsin | $34,070 | $29,670 | +$4,400 | ||
| Wyoming | $36,110 | $23,920 | +$12,190 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Food Preparation Workers vs Waiters and Waitresses salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Food Preparation Workers or Waiters and Waitresses?
On average across all states, a Waiters and Waitresses earns more than a Food Preparation Workers. The national median salary difference is $368 (1.1%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Food Preparation Workers earn more than a Waiters and Waitresses?
A Food Preparation Workers earns a higher median salary than a Waiters and Waitresses in 27 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 24 states.
What is the median salary for a Food Preparation Workers vs Waiters and Waitresses?
The national median salary for a Food Preparation Workers is $33,595 per year, compared to $33,964 for a Waiters and Waitresses, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Food Preparation Workers or Waiters and Waitresses?
There are more people employed as Waiters and Waitresses. BLS reports approximately 893,600 Food Preparation Workers positions and 2,270,900 Waiters and Waitresses positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Food Preparation Workers or Waiters and Waitresses?
Both Food Preparation Workers 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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