Cooks, Restaurant vs Fast Food and Counter Workers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cooks, Restaurant professionals earn $6,350 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 20.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $38,800 for Fast Food and Counter Workers.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
$22,620$47,340
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $22,620 | +$5,390 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $27,150 | +$4,160 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $30,480 | +$6,350 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $35,440 | +$8,170 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $38,800 | +$8,540 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $31,350 | +$6,380 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
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 Fast Food and Counter Workers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $42,660 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $40,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $38,310 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $37,650 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $36,480 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cooks, Restaurant or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Cooks, Restaurant professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $6,350 (20.8% 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 Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries range from $22,620 (10th percentile) to $38,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $30,480.
How many Cooks, Restaurant and Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Fast Food and Counter Workers to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 while Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $30,480. 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