Cooks, Restaurant vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cooks, Restaurant professionals earn $2,250 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 6.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$47,930
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $25,600 | +$2,410 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $29,140 | +$2,170 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $34,580 | +$2,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $37,850 | +$5,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $47,930 | $-590 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $37,150 | +$580 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
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 Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cooks, Restaurant or Retail Salespersons?
Cooks, Restaurant professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $2,250 (6.5% 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 Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Cooks, Restaurant and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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