Cooks, Restaurant vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $56,770 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 154.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$28,010$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $66,030 | $-38,020 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $78,610 | $-47,300 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $93,600 | $-56,770 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $107,960 | $-64,350 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $135,320 | $-87,980 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $98,430 | $-60,700 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
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 Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cooks, Restaurant or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $56,770 (154.1% 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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Cooks, Restaurant and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 while Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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