Cook, Fast Food Salary in Washington (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$39,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.81
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+27% vs US median
US median $30,890
State Rank
#4 of 51
9,020 employed here

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

A Cook, Fast Food working in Washington earns a median salary of $39,120 per year, or about $18.81 per hour. That is 27% above the national median of $30,890 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $35,330 while the top 10% make $44,860 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,390 and $44,050 a year.

Cook, Fast Food salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,330$16.99
25th percentile (early career)$36,390$17.50
50th percentile (median)$39,120$18.81
75th percentile (experienced)$44,050$21.18
90th percentile (top earners)$44,860$21.57

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 4th 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($39,120) 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 Washington?
The median Cook, Fast Food salary in Washington is $39,120 per year, or about $18.81 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,330 at the entry level to $44,860 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Cooks, Fast Food about 27% more than the national median of $30,890. Washington ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Cooks, Fast Food?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $39,120 a year. About 9,020 Cooks, Fast Food are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.