Carpenters vs Cooks, Restaurant: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Carpenters professionals earn $22,480 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 61.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Carpenters earns $98,370 compared to $47,340 for Cooks, Restaurant.
Salary Range Comparison
Carpenters$38,760 – $98,370
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
$28,010$98,370
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Carpenters | Cooks, Restaurant | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,760 | $28,010 | +$10,750 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,550 | $31,310 | +$16,240 |
| Median (50th) | $59,310 | $36,830 | +$22,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,620 | $43,610 | +$32,010 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,370 | $47,340 | +$51,030 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,040 | $37,730 | +$26,310 |
Employment Numbers
Carpenters
697,740
employed nationwide
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Carpenters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $80,950 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $78,090 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,100 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $76,760 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $76,510 |
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: Carpenters or Cooks, Restaurant?
Carpenters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $22,480 (61.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Carpenters?
Carpenters salaries range from $38,760 (10th percentile) to $98,370 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,310.
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 Carpenters and Cooks, Restaurant jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,740 Carpenters positions and 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Cooks, Restaurant to Carpenters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Carpenters has a median salary of $59,310 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