Waiters and Waitresses vs. Cooks, Restaurant: Who Earns More?
Cooks, Restaurants out-earn Waiters and Waitressess by $2K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Waiters and Waitressess land at $35,230 and Cooks, Restaurants at $37,390. The education gap is real: waiters and waitress programs typically require no formal educational credential, while cooks, restaurant programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Waiters and Waitressess is Hawaii ($62,390); for Cooks, Restaurants it's Washington ($46,800).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Waiters and Waitresses median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Waiters and Waitressess or Cooks, Restaurants?
Cooks, Restaurants earn more nationally. The median is $35,230 for Waiters and Waitressess versus $37,390 for Cooks, Restaurants, a difference of $2K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Waiters and Waitresses or Cooks, Restaurant?
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, Waiters and Waitresses or Cooks, Restaurant?
Waiters and Waitresses typically requires no formal educational credential. Cooks, Restaurant requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Waiters and Waitressess get paid the most?
Hawaii is the top-paying state for Waiters and Waitressess at $62,390/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Waiters and Waitresses vs. Cooks, Restaurant pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Hawaii, Waiters and Waitressess earn $62,390 vs. $45,420 for Cooks, Restaurants. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.