Chefs and Head Cooks vs. Waiters and Waitresses: Who Earns More?
Chefs and Head Cooks out-earn Waiters and Waitresses by $27K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Chefs and Head Cooks land at $62,470 and Waiters and Waitresses at $35,230. The education gap is real: chefs and head cook programs typically require no formal educational credential, while waiters and waitress programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Chefs and Head Cooks is Rhode Island ($79,930); for Waiters and Waitresses it's Hawaii ($62,390).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Chefs and Head Cooks median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Chefs and Head Cooks or Waiters and Waitresses?
Chefs and Head Cooks earn more nationally. The median is $62,470 for Chefs and Head Cooks versus $35,230 for Waiters and Waitresses, a difference of $27K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Chefs and Head Cooks or Waiters and Waitresses?
Chefs and Head Cooks has the better 10-year outlook at 7.1% projected growth, compared to -0.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Chefs and Head Cooks or Waiters and Waitresses?
Chefs and Head Cooks typically requires no formal educational credential. Waiters and Waitresses requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Chefs and Head Cooks get paid the most?
Rhode Island is the top-paying state for Chefs and Head Cooks at $79,930/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Chefs and Head Cooks vs. Waiters and Waitresses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Hawaii, Chefs and Head Cooks earn $77,360 vs. $62,390 for Waiters and Waitresses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.