CA · BLS OEWS 2024 · SOC 35-2011

Cooks, Fast Food Salary in California

Median Annual Salary $36,410 +21% above national average (national: $30,160)
$38,420Mean Annual
$18Median Hourly
136,550Employed in State

Salary Range — 10th to 90th Percentile

$36,410
$34,390
10th pct.
$45,270
90th pct.

Full Percentile Breakdown

PercentileAnnual WageHourly Wage
10th percentile (entry-level)$34,390$16.54
25th percentile$35,580$17.11
50th percentile (median)$36,410$17.50
75th percentile$41,600$20.00
90th percentile (top earners)$45,270$21.77
Mean (average)$38,420$18.47

How California Compares

StateMedian Annualvs. California
California (current) $36,410
Hawaii $40,300 +11%
District of Columbia $38,350 +5%
New Hampshire $37,220 +2%
Massachusetts $37,100 +2%
Vermont $37,050 +2%
Oregon $37,020 +2%
Washington $36,800 +1%
Alaska $35,820 -2%

Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →

Related Occupations in California

OccupationMedian AnnualEmployment
Skincare Specialists $36,390 13,820
Parking Attendants $36,350 24,850
Cashiers $36,270 349,300
Packers and Packagers, Hand $36,550 85,380
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other $36,220 31,750
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers $36,740 22,630

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Cooks, Fast Food salary in California?

The mean cooks, fast food salary in California is $38,420 per year. The median (middle) salary is $36,410 per year. Source: BLS OEWS 2024.

What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in California?

Entry-level cooks, fast foods (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $34,390 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $35,580 per year.

What is the highest Cooks, Fast Food salary in California?

Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $45,270 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $41,600 per year.

How does the California Cooks, Fast Food salary compare to the national average?

The median cooks, fast food salary in California is $36,410, which is +21% above national average of $30,160.

Data Source: This data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2024 release. All wages are estimates. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer, and other factors. bls.gov/oes