Cooks Fast Food Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$35,750
- 25th Percentile — Junior$37,260
- 50th Percentile — Median$42,050
- 75th Percentile — Senior$43,300
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$48,750
Half of Cooks Fast Food in California earn more than $42,050. The top 10% make $48,750 or more, while entry-level workers start around $35,750.
Cooks Fast Food in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 3rd of 51 states for Cooks Fast Food pay, at $41,490 per year (28.1% above the U.S. average of $32,390).
- 124,440 people work as Cooks Fast Food in California — 19.4% of all U.S. Cooks Fast Food jobs.
- Location quotient 1.66: Cooks Fast Food jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,750; the top 10% earn over $48,750.
- Hourly equivalent: $19.95 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $43,710.
- Among hospitality jobs in California, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($69,130).
Cooks Fast Food Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Cooks Fast Food here earn $41,490 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $41,490 is roughly equivalent to $29,218 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($43,710), Hawaii ($41,670), Washington ($41,420) are the closest alternatives for Cooks Fast Food weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $69,130/yr California +66.6% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $52,810/yr California +27.3% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $47,900/yr California +15.4% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $45,020/yr California +8.5% vs this role
- Bartenders $44,780/yr California +7.9% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $44,600/yr California +7.5% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $41,680/yr California +0.5% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $40,660/yr California 2.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cooks Fast Food salary in California?
The average Cooks Fast Food salary in California is $41,490 per year (median $42,050), which is 28.1% above the national average of $32,390.
How does California rank for Cooks Fast Food pay?
California ranks 3rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($43,710/yr).
How much do entry-level Cooks Fast Food make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cooks Fast Food in California earn about $35,750 per year and the 25th percentile is $37,260.
How much do Cooks Fast Food make per hour in California?
About $19.95 per hour, based on the $41,490 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cooks Fast Food work in California?
BLS counts 124,440 Cooks Fast Food jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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