Median Salary
$30,890
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$14.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$42,910
entry level starts ~$22,580
Pay Grade
D
low pay · 641,000 employed
How much does a Cook, Fast Food make?
The median pay for a Cook, Fast Food in the United States is $30,890 per year — about $14.85 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $22,580, while the most experienced Cooks, Fast Food in the top 10% earn $42,910.
That is $30,500 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Cook, Fast Food salary range by percentile
Half of all Cooks, Fast Food earn between $27,260 and $37,260 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,580 | $10.86 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $27,260 | $13.11 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $30,890 | $14.85 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $37,260 | $17.91 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,910 | $20.63 |
|
Highest-paying states for Cook, Fast Food
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Hawaii leads the country for Cook, Fast Food pay at $48,120 a year, followed by District of Columbia ($44,670) and California ($42,050). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $22,670 — a gap of $25,450 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Cook, Fast Food salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Hawaii $48,120District of Columbia $44,670California $42,050Washington $39,120New Hampshire $38,590Vermont $38,230Oregon $37,880Massachusetts $37,870Colorado $36,900Maine $36,350New York $35,770Rhode Island $35,230Connecticut $34,980Illinois $34,960Minnesota $34,120Alaska $33,960Nevada $33,840Maryland $33,320Arizona $32,660New Jersey $32,220Delaware $31,840Utah $31,800Idaho $31,070South Dakota $30,950Nebraska $30,430North Dakota $30,220New Mexico $30,190Virginia $29,950Florida $29,900Missouri $29,890Indiana $29,870Michigan $29,460Wyoming $28,950Wisconsin $28,920Pennsylvania $28,810Kansas $28,640Iowa $28,510Tennessee $28,330Texas $28,280Alabama $27,870Oklahoma $27,720Arkansas $27,710South Carolina $27,420North Carolina $27,190Georgia $26,940Ohio $26,870Montana $26,770Louisiana $24,960Kentucky $23,500West Virginia $23,120Mississippi $22,670
Workforce and education
About 641,000 people work as Cooks, Fast Food in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $32,390 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: no college degree is required — most training happens on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cook, Fast Food make in the United States?
The median Cook, Fast Food salary in the United States is $30,890 per year, or about $14.85 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $22,580, while the top 10% of earners make $42,910 or more.
How does Cook, Fast Food pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of D (low pay), the Cook, Fast Food median of $30,890 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Cooks, Fast Food the most?
Hawaii is the highest-paying state for Cooks, Fast Food, with a median salary of $48,120 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Cook, Fast Food?
Becoming a Cook, Fast Food typically requires no formal schooling beyond basic training. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
How many Cooks, Fast Food work in the United States?
About 641,000 people were employed as Cooks, Fast Food in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
Related salaries
Other food service roles with similar pay.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.