Cooks, Restaurant vs Graphic Designers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Graphic Designers professionals earn $24,470 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 66.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $103,030 for Graphic Designers.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Graphic Designers$37,600 – $103,030
$28,010$103,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Graphic Designers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $37,600 | $-9,590 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $47,200 | $-15,890 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $61,300 | $-24,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $79,000 | $-35,390 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $103,030 | $-55,690 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $68,610 | $-30,880 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Graphic Designers
214,260
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 Graphic Designers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,530 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $89,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,630 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,360 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $78,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cooks, Restaurant or Graphic Designers?
Graphic Designers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $24,470 (66.4% 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 Graphic Designers?
Graphic Designers salaries range from $37,600 (10th percentile) to $103,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,300.
How many Cooks, Restaurant and Graphic Designers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 214,260 Graphic Designers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Graphic Designers to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 while Graphic Designers earns $61,300. 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