Cook, Fast Food Salary in New York (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New York Median
$35,770
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+16% vs US median
US median $30,890
State Rank
#11 of 51
11,710 employed here

How much does a Cook, Fast Food make in New York?

A Cook, Fast Food working in New York earns a median salary of $35,770 per year, or about $17.20 per hour. That is 16% above the national median of $30,890 for this occupation.

Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $32,770 while the top 10% make $40,250 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,340 and $38,130 a year.

Cook, Fast Food salary range in New York

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$32,770$15.75
25th percentile (early career)$33,340$16.03
50th percentile (median)$35,770$17.20
75th percentile (experienced)$38,130$18.33
90th percentile (top earners)$40,250$19.35

How New York compares

New York ranks 11th 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 New York

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 New York pay ($35,770) 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 New York?
The median Cook, Fast Food salary in New York is $35,770 per year, or about $17.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,770 at the entry level to $40,250 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Cooks, Fast Food about 16% more than the national median of $30,890. New York ranks 11th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Cooks, Fast Food?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $35,770 a year. About 11,710 Cooks, Fast Food are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Cook, Fast Food salary report

Related salaries

Cook, Restaurant

$37,390
median pay · 1,410,000 employed

Bartender

$34,340
median pay · 756,000 employed

Food Preparation Worker

$35,320
median pay · 894,000 employed

Dishwasher

$34,810
median pay · 477,000 employed

Waiters and Waitresses

$35,230
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Cook, All Other

$37,690
median pay · 19,000 employed
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.