Cooks, Restaurant vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $96,250 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 261.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$28,010$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $79,850 | $-51,840 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $103,050 | $-71,740 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $133,080 | $-96,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $169,000 | $-125,390 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $211,450 | $-164,110 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $144,570 | $-106,840 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cooks, Restaurant or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $96,250 (261.3% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Cooks, Restaurant and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 while Software Developers earns $133,080. 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