Cooks, Private Household vs. Waiters and Waitresses: Who Earns More?
Cooks, Private Households out-earn Waiters and Waitressess by $13K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Cooks, Private Households land at $47,940 and Waiters and Waitressess at $35,230. The education gap is real: cooks, private household programs typically require no formal educational credential, while waiters and waitress programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Cooks, Private Households is New York ($37,440); for Waiters and Waitressess it's Hawaii ($62,390).
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 Households or Waiters and Waitressess?
Cooks, Private Households earn more nationally. The median is $47,940 for Cooks, Private Households versus $35,230 for Waiters and Waitressess, a difference of $13K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Cooks, Private Household 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, Private Household or Waiters and Waitresses?
Cooks, Private Household 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, Private Households get paid the most?
New York is the top-paying state for Cooks, Private Households 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. Waiters and Waitresses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Cooks, Private Households earn $37,440 vs. $47,020 for Waiters and Waitressess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.