Cooks, All Other vs. Waiters and Waitresses: Who Earns More?
Cooks, All Others out-earn Waiters and Waitressess by $2K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Cooks, All Others land at $37,690 and Waiters and Waitressess at $35,230. The education gap is real: cooks, all other programs typically require no formal educational credential, while waiters and waitress programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Cooks, All Others is Massachusetts ($69,570); for Waiters and Waitressess it's Hawaii ($62,390).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Cooks, All Other median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Cooks, All Others or Waiters and Waitressess?
Cooks, All Others earn more nationally. The median is $37,690 for Cooks, All Others versus $35,230 for Waiters and Waitressess, a difference of $2K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Cooks, All Other 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, Cooks, All Other or Waiters and Waitresses?
Cooks, All Other 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 Cooks, All Others get paid the most?
Massachusetts is the top-paying state for Cooks, All Others at $69,570/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Cooks, All Other vs. Waiters and Waitresses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Massachusetts, Cooks, All Others earn $69,570 vs. $38,460 for Waiters and Waitressess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.