Cooks, All Other vs. Waiters and Waitresses: Who Earns More?
Cooks, All Other out-earn Waiters and Waitresses by $2K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Cooks, All Other land at $37,690 and Waiters and Waitresses 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 Other is Massachusetts ($69,570); for Waiters and Waitresses 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 Other or Waiters and Waitresses?
Cooks, All Other earn more nationally. The median is $37,690 for Cooks, All Other versus $35,230 for Waiters and Waitresses, a difference of $2K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Cooks, All Other or Waiters and Waitresses?
Cooks, All Other has the better 10-year outlook at 5.5% projected growth, compared to -0.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
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 Other get paid the most?
Massachusetts is the top-paying state for Cooks, All Other 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 Other earn $69,570 vs. $38,460 for Waiters and Waitresses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.