Cooks, Fast Food Salary in California
Cooks, Fast Food in California earn a median annual wage of $42,050 —36.1% above the national median of $30,890. That ranks CA #3 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.66× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for cooks, fast food
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $48,120 | $23.14 | — | — |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $44,670 | $21.48 | 2,760 | 0.96 |
| 3 | California | $42,050 | $20.21 | 124,440 | 1.66 |
| 4 | Washington | $39,120 | $18.81 | 9,020 | 0.62 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $38,590 | $18.55 | 1,330 | 0.47 |
| 6 | Vermont | $38,230 | $18.38 | 640 | 0.51 |
| 7 | Oregon | $37,880 | $18.21 | 4,300 | 0.53 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $37,870 | $18.21 | — | — |
| 9 | Colorado | $36,900 | $17.74 | 9,220 | 0.78 |
| 10 | Maine | $36,350 | $17.48 | 1,470 | 0.56 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $42,280 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,080 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,880 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,980 | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $39,350 | $35,320 |
| Bartenders | $36,220 | $34,340 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, fast food make in California?
The median annual wage for cooks, fast food in California is $42,050, or $20.21 per hour. That is 36.1% above the national median of $30,890.
What is the entry-level cooks, fast food salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $35,750 per year ($17.19/hour). The 25th percentile is $37,260.
How many people work as cooks, fast food in California?
About 124,440 people work in this occupation in California, or 6.8 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for cooks, fast food?
California ranks #3 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.66x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays cooks, fast food the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage at $48,120 per year, followed by District of Columbia ($44,670) and California ($42,050).