Cooks, Private Household vs. Fast Food and Counter Workers: Who Earns More?
Cooks, Private Household out-earn Fast Food and Counter Workers by $17K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Cooks, Private Household land at $47,940 and Fast Food and Counter Workers at $31,200. The education gap is real: cooks, private household programs typically require no formal educational credential, while fast food and counter worker programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Cooks, Private Household is New York ($37,440); for Fast Food and Counter Workers it's California ($42,280).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Cooks, Private Household median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Cooks, Private Household or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Cooks, Private Household earn more nationally. The median is $47,940 for Cooks, Private Household versus $31,200 for Fast Food and Counter Workers, a difference of $17K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Cooks, Private Household or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Fast Food and Counter Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 6.1% projected growth, compared to 5.1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Cooks, Private Household or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Cooks, Private Household typically requires no formal educational credential. Fast Food and Counter Workers requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Cooks, Private Household get paid the most?
New York is the top-paying state for Cooks, Private Household at $37,440/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Cooks, Private Household vs. Fast Food and Counter Workers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Cooks, Private Household earn $37,440 vs. $35,250 for Fast Food and Counter Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.