Cook, Fast Food Salary in Rhode Island (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Rhode Island Median
$35,230
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.94
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+14% vs US median
US median $30,890
State Rank
#12 of 51
1,210 employed here

How much does a Cook, Fast Food make in Rhode Island?

Cooks, Fast Food in Rhode Island take home a median of $35,230 annually — roughly $16.94 an hour — which runs 14% above the national median of $30,890.

Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $38,470 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,200 and $35,690 a year.

Cook, Fast Food salary range in Rhode Island

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,200$15.00
25th percentile (early career)$31,200$15.00
50th percentile (median)$35,230$16.94
75th percentile (experienced)$35,690$17.16
90th percentile (top earners)$38,470$18.50

How Rhode Island compares

Rhode Island ranks 12th 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 Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island pay ($35,230) 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 Rhode Island?
The median Cook, Fast Food salary in Rhode Island is $35,230 per year, or about $16.94 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $38,470 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Cooks, Fast Food about 14% more than the national median of $30,890. Rhode Island ranks 12th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Cooks, Fast Food?
Yes on pay — Rhode Island pays above the national median for this occupation, at $35,230 a year. About 1,210 Cooks, Fast Food are employed in Rhode Island. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island?
The highest-paying occupations in Rhode Island include Emergency Medicine Physician ($512,730), Family Medicine Physician ($467,160), Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($450,370), 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
median pay · 2,271,000 employed

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.