Cook, Fast Food Salary in Wisconsin (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Wisconsin Median
$28,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.90
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $30,890
State Rank
#34 of 51
6,900 employed here

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

Cooks, Fast Food in Wisconsin take home a median of $28,920 annually — roughly $13.90 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $30,890.

Within Wisconsin, entry-level pay starts around $22,550 while the top 10% make $34,920 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $27,730 and $32,910 a year.

Cook, Fast Food salary range in Wisconsin

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$22,550$10.84
25th percentile (early career)$27,730$13.33
50th percentile (median)$28,920$13.90
75th percentile (experienced)$32,910$15.82
90th percentile (top earners)$34,920$16.79

How Wisconsin compares

Wisconsin ranks 34th 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 Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin pay ($28,920) 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 Wisconsin?
The median Cook, Fast Food salary in Wisconsin is $28,920 per year, or about $13.90 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,550 at the entry level to $34,920 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Wisconsin pay compare to the national average?
Wisconsin pays Cooks, Fast Food about 6% less than the national median of $30,890. Wisconsin ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Wisconsin a good state for Cooks, Fast Food?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $28,920 a year. About 6,900 Cooks, Fast Food are employed in Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin?
The highest-paying occupations in Wisconsin include Cardiologist ($636,580), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($572,060), Anesthesiologist ($443,990), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Cook, Fast Food salary report

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$34,340
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Food Preparation Worker

$35,320
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Dishwasher

$34,810
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$35,230
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$37,690
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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.