Cooks, Restaurant vs Substitute Teachers, Short-Term: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals earn $1,640 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 4.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $63,460 for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$26,240 – $63,460
$26,240$63,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $26,240 | +$1,770 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $31,310 | $0 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $38,470 | $-1,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $51,930 | $-8,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $63,460 | $-16,120 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $44,930 | $-7,200 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
481,300
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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $64,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,080 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,570 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL | $58,070 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cooks, Restaurant or Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,640 (4.5% 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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salaries range from $26,240 (10th percentile) to $63,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $38,470.
How many Cooks, Restaurant and Substitute Teachers, Short-Term jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 481,300 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Substitute Teachers, Short-Term to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 while Substitute Teachers, Short-Term earns $38,470. 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