Cooks, Restaurant vs Education Administrators, Postsecondary: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn $67,130 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 182.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $212,420 for Education Administrators, Postsecondary.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$63,820 – $212,420
$28,010$212,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $63,820 | $-35,810 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $79,880 | $-48,570 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $103,960 | $-67,130 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $140,940 | $-97,330 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $212,420 | $-165,080 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $124,450 | $-86,720 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
176,420
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Education Administrators, Postsecondary
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $137,490 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $136,880 |
| Rochester, NY | $132,150 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $131,910 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $129,330 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cooks, Restaurant or Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $67,130 (182.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary salaries range from $63,820 (10th percentile) to $212,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $103,960.
How many Cooks, Restaurant and Education Administrators, Postsecondary jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 176,420 Education Administrators, Postsecondary positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Education Administrators, Postsecondary to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 while Education Administrators, Postsecondary earns $103,960. 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