Childcare Workers vs Cooks, Restaurant: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cooks, Restaurant professionals earn $4,780 more per year than Childcare Workers professionals — that's 14.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Childcare Workers earns $44,560 compared to $47,340 for Cooks, Restaurant.
Salary Range Comparison
Childcare Workers$22,900 – $44,560
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
$22,900$47,340
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Childcare Workers | Cooks, Restaurant | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,900 | $28,010 | $-5,110 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $31,310 | $-3,310 |
| Median (50th) | $32,050 | $36,830 | $-4,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,960 | $43,610 | $-6,650 |
| 90th Percentile | $44,560 | $47,340 | $-2,780 |
| Mean (Average) | $33,140 | $37,730 | $-4,590 |
Employment Numbers
Childcare Workers
520,180
employed nationwide
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Childcare Workers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $44,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,640 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $40,180 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $39,290 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $38,720 |
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: Childcare Workers or Cooks, Restaurant?
Cooks, Restaurant professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $4,780 (14.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Childcare Workers?
Childcare Workers salaries range from $22,900 (10th percentile) to $44,560 (90th percentile), with a median of $32,050.
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 Childcare Workers and Cooks, Restaurant jobs are there?
There are approximately 520,180 Childcare Workers positions and 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Cooks, Restaurant to Childcare Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Childcare Workers has a median salary of $32,050 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