BLS · May 2025
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations: wages
National median for the group: $35,050 a year. 17 detailed occupations below.
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage | 10th percentile | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BartendersSOC 35-3011 | 756,390 | $34,340$16.51 / hr | $20,110 | $73,770 |
| Chefs and Head CooksSOC 35-1011 | 200,040 | $62,470$30.03 / hr | $37,900 | $98,560 |
| Cooks, All OtherSOC 35-2019 | 19,350 | $37,690$18.12 / hr | $27,040 | $51,140 |
| Cooks, Fast FoodSOC 35-2011 | 641,070 | $30,890$14.85 / hr | $22,580 | $42,910 |
| Cooks, Institution and CafeteriaSOC 35-2012 | 441,050 | $37,450$18.01 / hr | $28,480 | $49,670 |
| Cooks, Private HouseholdSOC 35-2013 | 1,100 | $47,940$23.05 / hr | $36,090 | $91,130 |
| Cooks, RestaurantSOC 35-2014 | 1,409,890 | $37,390$17.98 / hr | $28,700 | $47,900 |
| Cooks, Short OrderSOC 35-2015 | 138,650 | $35,880$17.25 / hr | $23,440 | $46,460 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender HelpersSOC 35-9011 | 542,750 | $33,980$16.34 / hr | $21,300 | $46,570 |
| DishwashersSOC 35-9021 | 477,450 | $34,810$16.73 / hr | $26,200 | $42,860 |
| Fast Food and Counter WorkersSOC 35-3023 | 3,854,050 | $31,200$15.00 / hr | $22,840 | $42,650 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving WorkersSOC 35-1012 | 1,223,240 | $44,080$21.19 / hr | $29,940 | $65,570 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All OtherSOC 35-9099 | 84,630 | $35,840$17.23 / hr | $25,470 | $47,550 |
| Food Preparation WorkersSOC 35-2021 | 893,600 | $35,320$16.98 / hr | $25,810 | $45,340 |
| Food Servers, NonrestaurantSOC 35-3041 | 293,900 | $35,360$17.00 / hr | $28,030 | $46,120 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee ShopSOC 35-9031 | 432,690 | $31,200$15.00 / hr | $22,340 | $43,990 |
| Waiters and WaitressesSOC 35-3031 | 2,270,910 | $35,230$16.94 / hr | $18,100 | $64,720 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (released 2026-05-15). How we use this data. Annual wages unless marked hourly.