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Cooks, Fast Food Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Fast Food make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$42,050
Median Annual Salary
▲
+15.5% vs 2024
$41,490
Mean Salary
$42,050
Median Salary
$20.22
Hourly Rate
124,440 people work as Cooks, Fast Food in California
Cooks, Fast Food salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Fast Food in California earn a median salary of $42,050 per year ($3,504/month).
This is 32.4% above the national average of $31,757.
California ranks #3 out of 51 states for Cooks, Fast Food pay.
Approximately 124,440 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries increased by 15.5% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Fast Food
Prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. Duties of these cooks are limited to preparation of a few basic items and normally involve operating large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment.
Top Skills
Active Listening
3.0
Service Orientation
3.0
Speaking
2.75
Social Perceptiveness
2.75
Coordination
2.75
Key Knowledge Areas
Administration and Management
3.34
Transportation
3.26
Communications and Media
3.2
Customer and Personal Service
3.13
Public Safety and Security
3.13
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(58.0% of workers)
Salaries for Cooks, Fast Food in California range from $35,750 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $48,750 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $37,260 and $43,300.
Median $42,050
P10: $35,750P25: $37,260P75: $43,300P90: $48,750
10th
$35,750
25th
$37,260
Median
$42,050
75th
$43,300
90th
$48,750
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$35,750
$17.19
$2,979
25th Percentile
$37,260
$17.91
$3,105
Median (50th)
$42,050
$20.22
$3,504
75th Percentile
$43,300
$20.82
$3,608
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$48,750
$23.44
$4,062
Note: The mean (average) salary of $41,490 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food in California is $42,050 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $41,490.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Fast Food in California?
Salaries for Cooks, Fast Food in California range from $35,750 at the 10th percentile to $48,750 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $37,260 and $43,300.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in California?
Entry-level Cooks, Fast Food positions in California typically start around $35,750 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $37,260 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Fast Food in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 124,440 people are employed as Cooks, Fast Food in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Fast Food in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Fast Food in California is approximately $20.22 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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