California ranks 8th of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, fast food pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($40,300) by $3,890 — a 11% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $34,390 to $45,270 — a $10,880 spread, 34% tighter than the national $16,610 range.
Cooks, Fast Food are more concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.74 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.74× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly 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
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $36,410 | n/a |
| 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
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.