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Cooks, Fast Food: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Washington (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Cooks, Fast Food salary grow from entry-level to senior in Washington? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

27% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Washington salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$35,330
$2,944/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$39,120
$3,260/mo
Senior (P90)
$44,860
$3,738/mo

Washington vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$35,330
National: $26,656
+32.5%
Mid-Career (Median)
$39,120
National: $31,757
+23.2%
Senior (P90)
$44,860
National: $39,785
+12.8%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Cooks, Fast Food in Washington spans from $35,330 at entry-level to $44,860 at senior level — a difference of $9,530 per year.

P10
$35K
P25
$36K
Median
$39K
P75
$44K
P90
$44K

Career Growth Premium: +27%

Senior Cooks, Fast Foods in Washington earn $9,530 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$9,530
Monthly Difference
+$794
Hourly Difference
+$4.58
Growth Multiple
1.3x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Cooks, Fast Food salary increases with experience in Washington, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $35,330 $2,944 $16.99
Early Career P25 $36,390 $3,032 $17.50
Mid-Career Median $39,120 $3,260 $18.81
Experienced P75 $44,050 $3,671 $21.18
Senior / Expert P90 $44,860 $3,738 $21.57
Key Insight

Cooks, Fast Food in Washington has a moderate salary progression with a 27% growth from entry-level ($35,330) to senior ($44,860). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($39,120) and P90 ($44,860) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Washington Compares to Other States

Where does Washington rank for Cooks, Fast Food senior-level salaries? Compare Washington's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$53,580
Entry: $29K
+84%
2
$51,260
Entry: $36K
+41%
3
$49,240
Entry: $31K
+56%
4
$48,870
Entry: $31K
+57%
5
$48,750
Entry: $35K
+36%
6
$48,140
Entry: $35K
+35%
7
$47,200
Entry: $27K
+70%
8
$47,100
Entry: $22K
+113%
9
$46,610
Entry: $31K
+46%
10
$45,930
Entry: $35K
+29%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Cooks, Fast Food?

Entry-level Cooks, Fast Foods (10th percentile) earn approximately $35,330 per year, or $2,944 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $36,390. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Cooks, Fast Food make?

Senior Cooks, Fast Foods (90th percentile) earn approximately $44,860 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $44,050. This represents a career premium of 27% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Cooks, Fast Food?

The career salary growth potential for Cooks, Fast Foods is 27%. Entry-level professionals start at $35,330, while senior-level can earn up to $44,860 — a difference of $9,530 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Cooks, Fast Foods?

The highest-paying state for senior Cooks, Fast Foods is Washington, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $44,860 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Cooks, Fast Food salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Washington from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Washington.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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