California Median
$42,050
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.22
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+36% vs US median
US median $30,890
State Rank
#3 of 51
124,440 employed here
How much does a Cook, Fast Food make in California?
Cooks, Fast Food in California take home a median of $42,050 annually — roughly $20.22 an hour — which runs 36% above the national median of $30,890.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $35,750 while the top 10% make $48,750 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,260 and $43,300 a year.
Cook, Fast Food salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,750 | $17.19 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,260 | $17.91 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $42,050 | $20.22 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $43,300 | $20.82 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,750 | $23.44 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories for Cook, Fast Food pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cook, Fast Food salary in other states
Hawaii $48,120District of Columbia $44,670Washington $39,120New Hampshire $38,590Vermont $38,230Oregon $37,880Massachusetts $37,870Colorado $36,900Maine $36,350New York $35,770Rhode Island $35,230Connecticut $34,980Illinois $34,960Minnesota $34,120Alaska $33,960Nevada $33,840Maryland $33,320Arizona $32,660New Jersey $32,220Delaware $31,840Utah $31,800Idaho $31,070South Dakota $30,950Nebraska $30,430North Dakota $30,220New Mexico $30,190Virginia $29,950Florida $29,900Missouri $29,890Indiana $29,870Michigan $29,460Wyoming $28,950Wisconsin $28,920Pennsylvania $28,810Kansas $28,640Iowa $28,510Tennessee $28,330Texas $28,280Alabama $27,870Oklahoma $27,720Arkansas $27,710South Carolina $27,420North Carolina $27,190Georgia $26,940Ohio $26,870Montana $26,770Louisiana $24,960Kentucky $23,500West Virginia $23,120Mississippi $22,670
Working as a Cook, Fast Food in California
Nationally, about 641,000 people work as Cooks, Fast Food in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($42,050) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cook, Fast Food make in California?
The median Cook, Fast Food salary in California is $42,050 per year, or about $20.22 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,750 at the entry level to $48,750 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Cooks, Fast Food about 36% more than the national median of $30,890. California ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Cooks, Fast Food?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $42,050 a year. About 124,440 Cooks, Fast Food are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Cook, Fast Food salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.