What Cooks, Fast Food do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Cooks, Fast Food this way: "Prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. Duties of these cooks are limited to preparation of a few basic items and normally involve operating large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Maintain sanitation, health, and safety standards in work areas"; "Clean food preparation areas, cooking surfaces, and utensils"; "Operate large-volume cooking equipment, such as grills, deep-fat fryers, or griddles"; "Verify that prepared food meets requirements for quality and quantity"; "Take food and drink orders and receive payment from customers".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is no formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Cooks, Fast Food
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 640,500 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 644,100 in 2035, an increase of 3,600 jobs (+0.6%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 86,400 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 13.5% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $30,890, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Cooks, Fast Food earn the most
Across the 14 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $26,580 in North Carolina to $41,092 in California, a gap of $14,511 (1.55 times). 8 of those 14 states average above the BLS national median of $30,890 and 6 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 124,240, which is 24.4% of the 508,590 counted across them. North Carolina follows with 87,020.
Highest-paying states
California ($41,092), District of Columbia ($35,800) and New York ($35,339) lead the ranking, while North Carolina ($26,580) and South Carolina ($27,381) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Cooks, Fast Food: pay against the cost of living
We compare 21 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $10,163. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $11,370 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 10 of the 21 markets and falls short in 11. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 42.2% and 111.0% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Cooks, Fast Food
Cooks, Restaurant, Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria and Cooks, Short Order belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (35-2000) include Food Preparation Workers.
Frequently asked questions about Cooks, Fast Food
How much do Cooks, Fast Food earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $30,890. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $26,580 to $41,092.
Which state pays Cooks, Fast Food the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $41,092. District of Columbia is next at $35,800.
Is Cooks, Fast Food a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 0.6% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 86,400 openings a year.
What education do Cooks, Fast Food need?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Cooks, Fast Food afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $10,163 on a median wage of $35,800.