Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics vs Cooks, Restaurant: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics professionals earn $12,840 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 34.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earns $80,850 compared to $47,340 for Cooks, Restaurant.
Salary Range Comparison
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$33,660 – $80,850
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
$28,010$80,850
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | Cooks, Restaurant | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $33,660 | $28,010 | +$5,650 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,140 | $31,310 | +$6,830 |
| Median (50th) | $49,670 | $36,830 | +$12,840 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,660 | $43,610 | +$22,050 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,850 | $47,340 | +$33,510 |
| Mean (Average) | $55,260 | $37,730 | +$17,530 |
Employment Numbers
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
688,840
employed nationwide
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $77,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $74,590 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $64,930 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $63,590 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $62,970 |
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics or Cooks, Restaurant?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $12,840 (34.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salaries range from $33,660 (10th percentile) to $80,850 (90th percentile), with a median of $49,670.
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.
How many Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics and Cooks, Restaurant jobs are there?
There are approximately 688,840 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics positions and 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Cooks, Restaurant to Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics has a median salary of $49,670 while Cooks, Restaurant earns $36,830. 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