Cooks, Fast Food Salary in 2026
How Much Do Cooks, Fast Foods Make?
Cooks, Fast Foods earn a median annual salary of $30,160 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $22,370 at the 10th percentile to $38,980 at the 90th percentile — a range of $16,610. The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $40,300.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22,370 |
| 25th percentile | $26,540 |
| Median (50th) | $30,160 |
| 75th percentile | $35,710 |
| 90th percentile | $38,980 |
Cooks, Fast Food Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaiitop | $40,300 |
| District of Columbia | $38,350 |
| New Hampshire | $37,220 |
| Massachusetts | $37,100 |
| Vermont | $37,050 |
| Oregon | $37,020 |
| Washington | $36,800 |
| California | $36,410 |
| Alaska | $35,820 |
| Maine | $35,780 |
| Rhode Island | $35,600 |
| Colorado | $35,140 |
| New York | $34,160 |
| New Jersey | $33,930 |
| Connecticut | $33,760 |
| Nevada | $32,690 |
| Wyoming | $32,190 |
| Maryland | $31,770 |
| Illinois | $31,580 |
| Arizona | $31,090 |
| Minnesota | $30,810 |
| South Dakota | $30,640 |
| Utah | $29,960 |
| Missouri | $29,450 |
| North Dakota | $29,350 |
| Michigan | $29,340 |
| Nebraska | $29,210 |
| Delaware | $28,950 |
| Florida | $28,940 |
| New Mexico | $28,830 |
| Iowa | $28,770 |
| Virginia | $28,660 |
| Indiana | $28,610 |
| Wisconsin | $28,400 |
| Kansas | $28,100 |
| Tennessee | $28,010 |
| Oklahoma | $27,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $27,440 |
| North Carolina | $26,750 |
| Alabama | $26,690 |
| Ohio | $26,520 |
| Georgia | $26,470 |
| Montana | $26,260 |
| Idaho | $26,130 |
| Arkansas | $24,700 |
| Texas | $24,390 |
| South Carolina | $23,930 |
| Kentucky | $23,420 |
| West Virginia | $22,800 |
| Mississippi | $22,250 |
| Louisiana | $21,940 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Cooks, Fast Foods
Cooks, Fast Food Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$22,370 – $26,540 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$30,160 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$35,710 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $38,980+ |
How to Earn More as a Cooks, Fast Food
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Cooks, Fast Foods in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $41,980 — $11,820 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($35,710) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Cooks, Fast Food Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Foodthis career | $30,160 |
| Food Service Manager | $65,310 |
| Chefs and Head Cook | $60,990 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,450 |
| Cooks, Private Household | $44,530 |
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SOC: 35-2011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.