Chefs and Head Cooks vs. Waiters and Waitresses: Who Earns More?
Chefs and Head Cookss out-earn Waiters and Waitressess by $27K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Chefs and Head Cookss land at $62,470 and Waiters and Waitressess 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 Cookss is Rhode Island ($79,930); for Waiters and Waitressess 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 Cookss or Waiters and Waitressess?
Chefs and Head Cookss earn more nationally. The median is $62,470 for Chefs and Head Cookss versus $35,230 for Waiters and Waitressess, a difference of $27K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Chefs and Head Cooks or Waiters and Waitresses?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
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 Cookss get paid the most?
Rhode Island is the top-paying state for Chefs and Head Cookss 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 Cookss earn $77,360 vs. $62,390 for Waiters and Waitressess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.