Cooks, Restaurant vs Engineers, All Other: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Engineers, All Other professionals earn $80,920 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 219.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $183,510 for Engineers, All Other.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Engineers, All Other$62,840 – $183,510
$28,010$183,510
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Engineers, All Other | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $62,840 | $-34,830 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $85,750 | $-54,440 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $117,750 | $-80,920 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $152,670 | $-109,060 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $183,510 | $-136,170 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $121,720 | $-83,990 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Engineers, All Other
150,750
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 Engineers, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $162,610 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $157,770 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $156,140 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $132,840 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $131,250 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cooks, Restaurant or Engineers, All Other?
Engineers, All Other professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $80,920 (219.7% 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 Engineers, All Other?
Engineers, All Other salaries range from $62,840 (10th percentile) to $183,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $117,750.
How many Cooks, Restaurant and Engineers, All Other jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 150,750 Engineers, All Other positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Engineers, All Other to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 while Engineers, All Other earns $117,750. 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