Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Cooks, fast food (SOC 35-2011) employed 641,070 people in May 2025. The median pay is $30,890 a year ($14.85 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $22,580 and the highest-paid 10% more than $42,910. BLS projects its employment to change by +0.6% between 2025 and 2035 (about 86,400 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: No formal educational credential.
Highest median pay: District of Columbia ($44,670), California ($42,050), Washington ($39,120). Most jobs: California (124,440), North Carolina (81,980), Missouri (55,780).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,580 | $10.86 |
| 25th percentile | $27,260 | $13.11 |
| Median | $30,890 | $14.85 |
| Mean | $32,390 | $15.57 |
| 75th percentile | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $42,910 | $20.63 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 640,500 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 644,100 |
| Change in jobs | 3,600 |
| Percent change | +0.6% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 86,400 |
| Self-employed share | n/a |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 26,740 | 3.07 | $27,870 | $22,640 | $34,170 | -10% | 46% |
| Alaska | 2,250 | 1.68 | $33,960 | $30,160 | $37,760 | +10% | 51% |
| Arizona | 11,210 | 0.84 | $32,660 | $30,580 | $36,440 | +6% | 61% |
| Arkansas | 7,860 | 1.46 | $27,710 | $23,770 | $32,720 | -10% | 43% |
| California | 124,440 | 1.66 | $42,050 | $35,750 | $48,750 | +36% | 60% |
| Colorado | 9,220 | 0.78 | $36,900 | $31,970 | $46,610 | +19% | 59% |
| Connecticut | 3,630 | 0.52 | $34,980 | $34,010 | $42,640 | +13% | 53% |
| Delaware | 850 | 0.43 | $31,840 | $31,200 | $48,870 | +3% | 58% |
| District of Columbia | 2,760 | 0.96 | $44,670 | $36,480 | $51,260 | +45% | 52% |
| Florida | 22,600 | 0.55 | $29,900 | $27,460 | $41,400 | -3% | 73% |
| Georgia | 12,940 | 0.64 | $26,940 | $20,800 | $36,810 | -13% | 67% |
| Idaho | 1,610 | 0.45 | $31,070 | $18,620 | $35,860 | +1% | 53% |
| Illinois | 13,430 | 0.53 | $34,960 | $31,200 | $40,580 | +13% | 45% |
| Indiana | 6,830 | 0.52 | $29,870 | $24,050 | $37,310 | -3% | 44% |
| Iowa | 8,290 | 1.29 | $28,510 | $15,080 | $40,810 | -8% | 41% |
| Kansas | 1,610 | 0.27 | $28,640 | $22,480 | $38,680 | -7% | 45% |
| Kentucky | 21,750 | 2.64 | $23,500 | $21,220 | $30,000 | -24% | 51% |
| Louisiana | 3,000 | 0.38 | $24,960 | $20,890 | $29,640 | -19% | 51% |
| Maine | 1,470 | 0.56 | $36,350 | $31,350 | $44,280 | +18% | 40% |
| Maryland | 10,960 | 0.96 | $33,320 | $31,200 | $38,210 | +8% | 62% |
| Michigan | 14,340 | 0.79 | $29,460 | $25,960 | $37,240 | -5% | 48% |
| Minnesota | 5,190 | 0.43 | $34,120 | $24,550 | $39,560 | +10% | 45% |
| Mississippi | 11,170 | 2.33 | $22,670 | $18,540 | $28,790 | -27% | 52% |
| Missouri | 55,780 | 4.61 | $29,890 | $28,600 | $35,290 | -3% | 43% |
| Montana | 820 | 0.39 | $26,770 | $22,090 | $47,100 | -13% | 53% |
| Nebraska | 2,900 | 0.69 | $30,430 | $28,080 | $36,910 | -1% | 43% |
| Nevada | 5,890 | 0.92 | $33,840 | $26,530 | $43,440 | +10% | 61% |
| New Hampshire | 1,330 | 0.47 | $38,590 | $35,720 | $45,930 | +25% | 48% |
| New Jersey | 3,440 | 0.19 | $32,220 | $32,220 | $41,860 | +4% | 67% |
| New Mexico | 1,800 | 0.50 | $30,190 | $27,860 | $37,550 | -2% | 44% |
| New York | 11,710 | 0.29 | $35,770 | $32,770 | $40,250 | +16% | 55% |
| North Carolina | 81,980 | 4.02 | $27,190 | $21,890 | $34,860 | -12% | 59% |
| North Dakota | 580 | 0.32 | $30,220 | $23,060 | $38,480 | -2% | 39% |
| Ohio | 12,310 | 0.54 | $26,870 | $22,500 | $35,570 | -13% | 49% |
| Oklahoma | 8,860 | 1.26 | $27,720 | $22,340 | $36,900 | -10% | 45% |
| Oregon | 4,300 | 0.53 | $37,880 | $31,610 | $49,240 | +23% | 51% |
| Pennsylvania | 9,240 | 0.37 | $28,810 | $22,610 | $42,380 | -7% | 52% |
| Rhode Island | 1,210 | 0.59 | $35,230 | $31,200 | $38,470 | +14% | 48% |
| South Carolina | 9,110 | 0.96 | $27,420 | $21,690 | $37,140 | -11% | 56% |
| South Dakota | 1,720 | 0.91 | $30,950 | $25,410 | $34,910 | +0% | 39% |
| Tennessee | 14,020 | 1.04 | $28,330 | $20,380 | $38,330 | -8% | 54% |
| Texas | 36,240 | 0.62 | $28,280 | $20,800 | $39,140 | -8% | 63% |
| Utah | 4,400 | 0.61 | $31,800 | $27,760 | $47,200 | +3% | 60% |
| Vermont | 640 | 0.51 | $38,230 | $31,540 | $39,650 | +24% | 41% |
| Virginia | 12,520 | 0.74 | $29,950 | $27,400 | $37,730 | -3% | 66% |
| Washington | 9,020 | 0.62 | $39,120 | $35,330 | $44,860 | +27% | 56% |
| West Virginia | 16,490 | 5.70 | $23,120 | $21,600 | $28,300 | -25% | 46% |
| Wisconsin | 6,900 | 0.57 | $28,920 | $22,550 | $34,920 | -6% | 47% |
| Wyoming | 890 | 0.77 | $28,950 | $21,240 | $42,520 | -6% | 41% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 4,790 | $47,220 | $38,210 | $50,850 | 1.02 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 10,160 | $46,670 | $38,350 | $54,820 | 1.04 |
| Napa, CA | 370 | $45,300 | $37,420 | $46,560 | 1.15 |
| Vallejo, CA | 1,150 | $44,450 | $36,950 | $55,520 | 1.94 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 5,190 | $44,030 | $35,330 | $48,140 | 0.60 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 1,050 | $43,840 | $37,340 | $47,720 | 1.24 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 710 | $43,630 | $36,930 | $44,590 | 1.74 |
| Salinas, CA | 1,100 | $43,120 | $35,130 | $47,010 | 1.42 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 1,430 | $42,700 | $36,680 | $44,290 | 1.73 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 2,520 | $42,530 | $35,980 | $46,640 | 1.89 |
| Modesto, CA | 1,620 | $42,510 | $36,120 | $46,940 | 2.02 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 16,910 | $42,480 | $34,800 | $44,080 | 2.39 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 10,630 | $42,450 | $36,110 | $47,230 | 1.68 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 850 | $42,390 | $34,930 | $43,700 | 1.70 |
| Yuba City, CA | 390 | $42,320 | $35,680 | $48,450 | 1.86 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 8,020 | $42,210 | $34,320 | $44,270 | 1.80 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 2,260 | $41,600 | $35,380 | $43,330 | 1.90 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 2,450 | $41,480 | $35,030 | $47,190 | 1.76 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 450 | $41,280 | $34,320 | $43,690 | 2.23 |
| Merced, CA | 660 | $40,430 | $34,560 | $42,560 | 2.00 |
| Chico, CA | 580 | $40,340 | $35,520 | $45,330 | 1.81 |
| El Centro, CA | 330 | $40,230 | $36,480 | $42,490 | 1.23 |
| Redding, CA | 470 | $39,920 | $35,860 | $42,970 | 1.60 |
| Visalia, CA | 1,410 | $39,750 | $35,950 | $42,550 | 2.00 |
| Fresno, CA | 3,910 | $39,620 | $34,320 | $48,350 | 1.99 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 360 | $38,690 | $34,380 | $39,650 | 0.72 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 2,520 | $38,580 | $36,410 | $53,430 | 0.51 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 4,540 | $38,560 | $27,680 | $50,970 | 0.85 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | 430 | $38,550 | $31,800 | $46,440 | 0.52 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 4,220 | $38,530 | $34,040 | $49,570 | 0.64 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 48,440 | $38,000 | $35,760 | $45,550 | 1.87 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 300 | $37,910 | $36,020 | $41,890 | 0.78 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 330 | $37,030 | $35,600 | $39,490 | 0.61 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | 370 | $37,010 | $29,610 | $37,630 | 2.47 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 330 | $36,600 | $34,850 | $41,670 | 0.61 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 1,340 | $36,560 | $31,030 | $39,280 | 1.03 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 3,550 | $36,380 | $24,550 | $39,560 | 0.44 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 500 | $36,310 | $33,770 | $46,950 | 0.42 |
| Boulder, CO | 580 | $36,250 | $33,380 | $45,380 | 0.73 |
| Greeley, CO | 360 | $35,840 | $31,000 | $38,220 | 0.73 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 790 | $35,810 | $34,940 | $42,960 | 0.48 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 10,580 | $35,800 | $31,200 | $47,000 | 0.82 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 10,410 | $35,780 | $32,220 | $39,330 | 0.27 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | 420 | $35,550 | $29,940 | $42,850 | 0.65 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 10,460 | $35,360 | $31,200 | $41,480 | 0.56 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 1,390 | $35,260 | $31,200 | $38,470 | 0.47 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | 960 | $35,230 | $32,660 | $47,050 | 1.38 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 1,330 | $34,880 | $34,010 | $41,900 | 0.54 |
| New Haven, CT | 720 | $34,850 | $34,010 | $45,710 | 0.62 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | 900 | $34,700 | $27,760 | $47,200 | 0.72 |
| Syracuse, NY | 330 | $34,490 | $32,240 | $38,180 | 0.27 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 4,840 | $34,210 | $22,340 | $38,740 | 1.07 |
| Pueblo, CO | 340 | $34,180 | $30,800 | $38,290 | 1.33 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | 320 | $34,180 | $34,010 | $37,350 | 0.48 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 1,570 | $34,160 | $29,320 | $47,340 | 0.46 |
| Grand Junction, CO | 310 | $33,980 | $30,800 | $37,990 | 1.13 |
| Anchorage, AK | 1,520 | $33,960 | $30,160 | $37,550 | 2.09 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 4,490 | $33,960 | $26,530 | $44,470 | 0.96 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | 300 | $33,950 | $30,580 | $35,810 | 1.11 |
| Salem, OR | 420 | $33,870 | $30,580 | $42,730 | 0.54 |
The median is $30,890 a year ($14.85 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $22,580 and the highest-paid tenth over $42,910 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
641,070 in May 2025, and BLS projects +0.6% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: No formal educational credential (BLS).
District of Columbia, with a median of $44,670 (among states with published figures).