Cooks, Restaurant vs Office Clerks, General: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Office Clerks, General professionals earn $6,800 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 18.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $63,840 for Office Clerks, General.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Office Clerks, General$29,120 – $63,840
$28,010$63,840
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Office Clerks, General | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $29,120 | $-1,110 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $35,350 | $-4,040 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $43,630 | $-6,800 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $52,560 | $-8,950 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $63,840 | $-16,500 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $45,470 | $-7,740 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Office Clerks, General
2,510,550
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 Office Clerks, General
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $58,920 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $56,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $55,790 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $53,640 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $51,270 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cooks, Restaurant or Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $6,800 (18.5% 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 Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General salaries range from $29,120 (10th percentile) to $63,840 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,630.
How many Cooks, Restaurant and Office Clerks, General jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 2,510,550 Office Clerks, General positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Office Clerks, General to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 while Office Clerks, General earns $43,630. 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