📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Cooks Fast Food Salary in New Jersey (2026)

New Jersey · 28.0% above national average · Very High Demand

Average
$42,598
per year
Median
$40,038
per year
Hourly
$20.48
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$32,294
25th Percentile — Junior$37,158
50th Percentile — Median$40,038
75th Percentile — Senior$48,102
90th Percentile — Top Earners$50,966
💡 Top-earning Cooks Fast Foods in New Jersey make up to $50,966 per year. The job market in New Jersey is rated strong, with key industries including Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$36.7k
2021
$37.8k
2022
$39.0k
2023
$40.2k
2024
$41.4k
2025
$42.6k
2026
📈 Cooks Fast Food salaries in New Jersey have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong demand in New Jersey's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Cooks Fast Food Salary by City in New Jersey
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Newark $51,970 +22.0% Very High
🔍
Cooks Fast Food Job Market in New Jersey
Key factors affecting compensation

New Jersey is home to a strong job market for Cooks Fast Foods. The state's key industries — Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $42,598 per year, New Jersey's Cooks Fast Food salaries are 28.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in New Jersey (index: 1.28) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in New Jersey can expect to earn $32,294–$37,158, while experienced Cooks Fast Foods can command $48,102–$50,966.

Looking ahead, the Cooks Fast Food profession in New Jersey is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Pharmaceuticals continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Cooks Fast Food salary in New Jersey is $42,598 per year in 2026, which is 28.0% above the national average of $33,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Cooks Fast Foods the highest wages in New Jersey due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • New Jersey has a strong job market with major industries in Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology. This makes it one of the better states for Cooks Fast Food employment.
  • At $42,598/year, New Jersey Cooks Fast Food salaries are 28.0% higher than the national average of $33,280/year.