Cooks, Short Order vs. Waiters and Waitresses: Who Earns More?
Cooks, Short Order out-earn Waiters and Waitresses by $650 a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Cooks, Short Order land at $35,880 and Waiters and Waitresses at $35,230. The education gap is real: cooks, short order programs typically require no formal educational credential, while waiters and waitress programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Cooks, Short Order is Arizona ($46,630); for Waiters and Waitresses it's Hawaii ($62,390).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Cooks, Short Order median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Cooks, Short Order or Waiters and Waitresses?
Cooks, Short Order earn more nationally. The median is $35,880 for Cooks, Short Order versus $35,230 for Waiters and Waitresses, a difference of $650. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Cooks, Short Order or Waiters and Waitresses?
Waiters and Waitresses has the better 10-year outlook at -0.7% projected growth, compared to -5.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Cooks, Short Order or Waiters and Waitresses?
Cooks, Short Order 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, Short Order get paid the most?
Arizona is the top-paying state for Cooks, Short Order at $46,630/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Cooks, Short Order vs. Waiters and Waitresses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Arizona, Cooks, Short Order earn $46,630 vs. $43,950 for Waiters and Waitresses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.