Cooks, Restaurant vs Nurse Practitioners: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn $92,380 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 250.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $169,950 for Nurse Practitioners.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
$28,010$169,950
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Nurse Practitioners | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $97,960 | $-69,950 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $109,940 | $-78,630 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $129,210 | $-92,380 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $149,570 | $-105,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $169,950 | $-122,610 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $132,000 | $-94,270 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
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 Nurse Practitioners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $225,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $220,330 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $164,520 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $164,510 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $162,470 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cooks, Restaurant or Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $92,380 (250.8% 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 Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners salaries range from $97,960 (10th percentile) to $169,950 (90th percentile), with a median of $129,210.
How many Cooks, Restaurant and Nurse Practitioners jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Nurse Practitioners to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 while Nurse Practitioners earns $129,210. 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