Cooks, Fast Food vs. Waiters and Waitresses: Who Earns More?
Waiters and Waitresses out-earn Cooks, Fast Food by $4K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Cooks, Fast Food land at $30,890 and Waiters and Waitresses at $35,230. The education gap is real: cooks, fast food programs typically require no formal educational credential, while waiters and waitress programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Cooks, Fast Food is Hawaii ($48,120); for Waiters and Waitresses it's Hawaii ($62,390).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Cooks, Fast Food median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Cooks, Fast Food or Waiters and Waitresses?
Waiters and Waitresses earn more nationally. The median is $30,890 for Cooks, Fast Food versus $35,230 for Waiters and Waitresses, a difference of $4K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Cooks, Fast Food or Waiters and Waitresses?
Waiters and Waitresses has the better 10-year outlook at -0.7% projected growth, compared to -13.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Cooks, Fast Food or Waiters and Waitresses?
Cooks, Fast Food 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, Fast Food get paid the most?
Hawaii is the top-paying state for Cooks, Fast Food at $48,120/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Cooks, Fast Food vs. Waiters and Waitresses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Hawaii, Cooks, Fast Food earn $48,120 vs. $62,390 for Waiters and Waitresses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.