Career comparison
Chef vs. Short-Order Cook
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Chefs earn more at the median ($62,470 vs. $35,880), while short-order cooks usually get to work faster (A few days on the job of training). Chefs lead kitchens, create menus and turn ingredients into memorable meals. Short-order cooks cook quick orders like eggs, burgers and sandwiches at diners and cafés.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Chef | Short-Order Cook | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $62,470 ($30.03/hr) | $35,880 ($17.25/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,900 – $98,560 | $23,440 – $46,460 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +6.6% (faster than average) | -5.2% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 25,200 | 17,400 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 2–5 years of kitchen experience | A few days on the job |
| Key credential | ServSafe Food Protection Manager | Food handler card |
| Work setting | Chefs work in hot, noisy, fast-paced kitchens in restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools and catering companies. | Cooks work at diners, cafés, bars and counters.. |
What each job does
Chef
- Plan menus and develop recipes
- Order and receive food and supplies
- Supervise, train and schedule kitchen staff
- Cook and expedite during service
- Control food costs and reduce waste
Short-Order Cook
- Cook orders
- Run the griddle
- Read tickets
- Time multiple orders
- Plate food
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work and a fast pace. Both are part of the hospitality, food & tourism field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose chef if…
- I love cooking and creating dishes
- I thrive under pressure
- I can lead a team
Choose short-order cook if…
- I can juggle many orders
- I work fast
- I like breakfast food
Still torn? Take the Chef fit quiz and the Short-Order Cook fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, chef or short-order cook?
Chefs earn more at the median: $62,470 versus $35,880 for short-order cooks, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Short-Order Cooks typically train faster (A few days on the job) than chefs (2–5 years of kitchen experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects chefs to grow +6.6% from 2025–35, compared with -5.2% for short-order cooks.