Cooks, Restaurant vs Cost Estimators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cost Estimators professionals earn $40,240 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 109.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $128,640 for Cost Estimators.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
$28,010$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Cost Estimators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $46,330 | $-18,320 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $59,830 | $-28,520 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $77,070 | $-40,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $99,630 | $-56,020 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $128,640 | $-81,300 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $83,160 | $-45,430 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Cost Estimators
219,530
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 Cost Estimators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $104,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $103,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,990 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86,540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,300 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cooks, Restaurant or Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $40,240 (109.3% 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 Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators salaries range from $46,330 (10th percentile) to $128,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $77,070.
How many Cooks, Restaurant and Cost Estimators jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 219,530 Cost Estimators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Cost Estimators to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 while Cost Estimators earns $77,070. 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