Washington ranks 7th of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, fast food pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($40,300) by $3,500 — a 10% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $33,970 to $44,550 — a $10,580 spread, 36% tighter than the national $16,610 range.
Cooks, Fast Food are less concentrated in Washington than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.56 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.79× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $33,970 | $16.33 |
| 25th percentile | $34,790 | $16.73 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| 75th percentile | $39,620 | $19.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,550 | $21.42 |
| Mean (average) | $39,500 | $18.99 |
How Washington Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Washington (current) | $36,800 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $40,300 | +10% |
| District of Columbia | $38,350 | +4% |
| New Hampshire | $37,220 | +1% |
| Massachusetts | $37,100 | +1% |
| Vermont | $37,050 | +1% |
| Oregon | $37,020 | +1% |
| California | $36,410 | -1% |
| Alaska | $35,820 | -3% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Washington
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,820 | 94,830 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $36,700 | 5,360 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $37,090 | 7,280 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,500 | 9,770 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,340 | 15,510 |
| Cashiers | $37,300 | 59,660 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Fast Food salary in Washington?
The mean cooks, fast food salary in Washington is $39,500 per year. The median (middle) salary is $36,800 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Washington?
Entry-level cooks, fast foods (10th percentile) in Washington typically earn around $33,970 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $34,790 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Fast Food salary in Washington?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Washington make approximately $44,550 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $39,620 per year.
How does the Washington Cooks, Fast Food salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, fast food salary in Washington is $36,800, which is +22% above national average of $30,160.