Cooks, Restaurant vs Medical Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Medical Assistants professionals earn $7,370 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 20.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $57,830 for Medical Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
$28,010$57,830
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Medical Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $35,020 | $-7,010 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $37,610 | $-6,300 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $44,200 | $-7,370 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $48,160 | $-4,550 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $57,830 | $-10,490 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $44,720 | $-6,990 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Medical Assistants
793,460
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 Medical Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,570 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $59,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,850 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,040 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cooks, Restaurant or Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $7,370 (20.0% 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 Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
How many Cooks, Restaurant and Medical Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 793,460 Medical Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical Assistants to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 while Medical Assistants earns $44,200. 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