Cook, Fast Food Salary in Indiana (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Cooks, Fast Food in Indiana, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Indiana Median
$29,870
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.36
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $30,890
State Rank
#31 of 51
6,830 employed here

How much does a Cook, Fast Food make in Indiana?

Cooks, Fast Food in Indiana take home a median of $29,870 annually — roughly $14.36 an hour — which runs 3% below the national median of $30,890.

Within Indiana, entry-level pay starts around $24,050 while the top 10% make $37,310 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,440 and $35,310 a year.

Cook, Fast Food salary range in Indiana

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$24,050$11.56
25th percentile (early career)$28,440$13.67
50th percentile (median)$29,870$14.36
75th percentile (experienced)$35,310$16.98
90th percentile (top earners)$37,310$17.94

How Indiana compares

Indiana ranks 31st out of 51 states and territories for Cook, Fast Food pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$48,120
2District of Columbia$44,670
3California$42,050
4Washington$39,120
5New Hampshire$38,590

Working as a Cook, Fast Food in Indiana

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 Indiana pay ($29,870) 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 Indiana?
The median Cook, Fast Food salary in Indiana is $29,870 per year, or about $14.36 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $24,050 at the entry level to $37,310 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Indiana pay compare to the national average?
Indiana pays Cooks, Fast Food about 3% less than the national median of $30,890. Indiana ranks 31st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Indiana a good state for Cooks, Fast Food?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $29,870 a year. About 6,830 Cooks, Fast Food are employed in Indiana. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Indiana?
The highest-paying occupations in Indiana include Cardiologist ($588,890), Surgeon, All Other ($459,300), Radiologist ($430,640), 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.