SalaryByCity

Cooks, Restaurant vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Cooks, Restaurant

$36,830

Median annual salary

1,452,130 employed nationally

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

$102,610

Median annual salary

199,800 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn $65,780 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 178.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $166,960 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.

Salary Range Comparison

Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$60,690 – $166,960
$28,010$166,960

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileCooks, RestaurantSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersDifference
10th Percentile$28,010$60,690$-32,680
25th Percentile$31,310$79,520$-48,210
Median (50th)$36,830$102,610$-65,780
75th Percentile$43,610$131,870$-88,260
90th Percentile$47,340$166,960$-119,620
Mean (Average)$37,730$110,260$-72,530

Employment Numbers

Cooks, Restaurant

1,452,130

employed nationwide

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

199,800

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CityMedian
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 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$165,700
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$139,580
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$131,640
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$127,940
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$126,430

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Cooks, Restaurant or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $65,780 (178.6% 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 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salaries range from $60,690 (10th percentile) to $166,960 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,610.
How many Cooks, Restaurant and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 199,800 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 while Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earns $102,610. 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