Accountants and Auditors vs Cooks, Restaurant: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn $44,850 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 121.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $47,340 for Cooks, Restaurant.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
$28,010$141,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Cooks, Restaurant | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $28,010 | +$24,770 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $31,310 | +$33,350 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $36,830 | +$44,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $43,610 | +$62,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $47,340 | +$94,080 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $37,730 | +$55,790 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $46,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $46,960 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $45,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $45,040 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Cooks, Restaurant?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $44,850 (121.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Cooks, Restaurant?
Cooks, Restaurant salaries range from $28,010 (10th percentile) to $47,340 (90th percentile), with a median of $36,830.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Cooks, Restaurant jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Cooks, Restaurant to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Cooks, Restaurant earns $36,830. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS