Cook, Fast Food Salary in North Dakota (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Dakota Median
$30,220
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.53
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $30,890
State Rank
#26 of 51
580 employed here

How much does a Cook, Fast Food make in North Dakota?

Cooks, Fast Food in North Dakota take home a median of $30,220 annually — roughly $14.53 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $30,890.

Within North Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $23,060 while the top 10% make $38,480 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,320 and $35,080 a year.

Cook, Fast Food salary range in North Dakota

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$23,060$11.09
25th percentile (early career)$29,320$14.10
50th percentile (median)$30,220$14.53
75th percentile (experienced)$35,080$16.87
90th percentile (top earners)$38,480$18.50

How North Dakota compares

North Dakota ranks 26th 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 North Dakota

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 North Dakota pay ($30,220) 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 North Dakota?
The median Cook, Fast Food salary in North Dakota is $30,220 per year, or about $14.53 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $23,060 at the entry level to $38,480 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Dakota pay compare to the national average?
North Dakota pays Cooks, Fast Food about 2% less than the national median of $30,890. North Dakota ranks 26th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Dakota a good state for Cooks, Fast Food?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $30,220 a year. About 580 Cooks, Fast Food are employed in North Dakota. 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 North Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in North Dakota include Surgeon, All Other ($604,890), Radiologist ($553,140), Physician, All Other ($454,550), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Cook, Fast Food salary report

Related salaries

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Food Preparation Worker

$35,320
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Dishwasher

$34,810
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Waiters and Waitresses

$35,230
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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.