Pennsylvania ranks 38th of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, fast food pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($40,300) by $12,860 — a 47% gap.
Cooks, Fast Food are less concentrated in Pennsylvania than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.48 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 2.08× below the national share.
Pennsylvania employs roughly 1.9% of all cooks, fast food in the country (12,420 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $21,930 | $10.54 |
| 25th percentile | $23,310 | $11.21 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $27,440 | $13.19 |
| 75th percentile | $30,700 | $14.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| Mean (average) | $28,390 | $13.65 |
How Pennsylvania Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania (current) | $27,440 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $40,300 | +47% |
| District of Columbia | $38,350 | +40% |
| New Hampshire | $37,220 | +36% |
| Massachusetts | $37,100 | +35% |
| Vermont | $37,050 | +35% |
| Oregon | $37,020 | +35% |
| Washington | $36,800 | +34% |
| California | $36,410 | +33% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Pennsylvania
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $27,480 | 8,680 |
| Bartenders | $27,090 | 34,740 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,050 | 15,570 |
| Childcare Workers | $28,330 | 14,410 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,400 | 16,300 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,490 | 131,650 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Fast Food salary in Pennsylvania?
The mean cooks, fast food salary in Pennsylvania is $28,390 per year. The median (middle) salary is $27,440 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level cooks, fast foods (10th percentile) in Pennsylvania typically earn around $21,930 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $23,310 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Fast Food salary in Pennsylvania?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Pennsylvania make approximately $37,830 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $30,700 per year.
How does the Pennsylvania Cooks, Fast Food salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, fast food salary in Pennsylvania is $27,440, which is -9% below national average of $30,160.