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Fast food worker salary
Average fast food worker salary
$11.95
Average Fast Food Worker Salary
The average salary for a fast food worker as of October 2025 is estimated to be $24,860 annually or $12 per hour. This figure can vary widely based on factors such as geographic location, experience level, and job responsibilities. For instance, fast food workers in states like Washington and California often report higher salaries due to local economic conditions and minimum wage laws.
Salary by State
Understanding where you can earn more is essential. States such as Alaska, Massachusetts, and Washington consistently rank among the highest for fast food worker salaries, with averages exceeding $30,000 per year. In contrast, states with lower living costs may offer salaries in the $20,000 range.
Salary Trends Over Time
Over the past decade, the salary for fast food workers has seen gradual increases, reflecting changes in labor market demands and minimum wage adjustments. Additionally, opportunities for advancement, such as becoming a shift manager or team leader, can lead to significant salary increases.
Conclusion
For those seeking work in the fast food sector, understanding these salary dynamics can help you navigate your career effectively. Explore job openings to find positions that align with your financial goals.
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Where can a Fast Food Worker earn more?
Fast food worker salary estimates from across the web
Average fast food worker salary by state
The average fast food worker salary in New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average fast food worker salary states are Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Illinois.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for fast food workers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $34,272 | $16.48 |
| 2 | Utah | $27,115 | $13.04 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $29,552 | $14.21 |
| 4 | Michigan | $30,620 | $14.72 |
| 5 | New York | $32,627 | $15.69 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $31,743 | $15.26 |
| 7 | Delaware | $27,531 | $13.24 |
| 8 | Washington | $27,119 | $13.04 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $29,473 | $14.17 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $26,983 | $12.97 |
| 11 | Iowa | $26,667 | $12.82 |
| 12 | Vermont | $31,389 | $15.09 |
| 13 | Missouri | $24,759 | $11.90 |
| 14 | Ohio | $24,927 | $11.98 |
| 15 | Oregon | $25,520 | $12.27 |
| 16 | Colorado | $25,501 | $12.26 |
| 17 | Arizona | $26,239 | $12.61 |
| 18 | Texas | $23,825 | $11.45 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $27,163 | $13.06 |
| 20 | Idaho | $24,913 | $11.98 |
| 21 | Nebraska | $23,668 | $11.38 |
| 22 | New Mexico | $23,743 | $11.41 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $22,523 | $10.83 |
| 24 | Maine | $27,246 | $13.10 |
| 25 | South Carolina | $23,047 | $11.08 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | $23,371 | $11.24 |
| 27 | Florida | $22,548 | $10.84 |
| 28 | Alabama | $22,822 | $10.97 |
| 29 | North Dakota | $25,339 | $12.18 |
| 30 | Kansas | $24,078 | $11.58 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $22,375 | $10.76 |
| 32 | District of Columbia | $28,186 | $13.55 |
| 33 | California | $24,787 | $11.92 |
| 34 | West Virginia | $21,703 | $10.43 |
| 35 | New Jersey | $24,686 | $11.87 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $23,158 | $11.13 |
| 37 | Montana | $22,778 | $10.95 |
| 38 | Virginia | $21,886 | $10.52 |
| 39 | Maryland | $24,403 | $11.73 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $21,283 | $10.23 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $22,263 | $10.70 |
| 42 | Wyoming | $21,630 | $10.40 |
| 43 | Tennessee | $20,521 | $9.87 |
| 44 | Indiana | $22,291 | $10.72 |
| 45 | Georgia | $20,440 | $9.83 |
| 46 | Alaska | $21,602 | $10.39 |
| 47 | Kentucky | $21,322 | $10.25 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $20,915 | $10.06 |
| 49 | Nevada | $21,833 | $10.50 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $22,088 | $10.62 |
| 51 | Illinois | $21,190 | $10.19 |
Highest paying cities for fast food workers
The highest-paying cities for fast food workers are Franklin Square, NY, Falmouth, MA, and Southfield, MI.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Franklin Square, NY | $32,633 | $15.69 |
| 2 | Falmouth, MA | $31,795 | $15.29 |
| 3 | Southfield, MI | $30,728 | $14.77 |
| 4 | Cedar Falls, IA | $26,957 | $12.96 |
| 5 | Mesa, AZ | $26,186 | $12.59 |
| 6 | Beaverton, OR | $25,524 | $12.27 |
| 7 | San Antonio, TX | $23,867 | $11.47 |
| 8 | Greenville, SC | $23,067 | $11.09 |
| 9 | Auburn, AL | $22,826 | $10.97 |
| 10 | Tallahassee, FL | $22,552 | $10.84 |
| 11 | Durham, NC | $22,486 | $10.81 |
| 12 | Arlington, VA | $22,391 | $10.76 |
| 13 | Kahului, HI | $22,087 | $10.62 |
| 14 | Chicago, IL | $21,279 | $10.23 |
| 15 | Atlanta, GA | $20,447 | $9.83 |
Fast food worker salary details
A fast food worker's salary ranges from $12,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $51,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a fast food worker's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $51,000 | $4,250 | $25 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| Average | $24,860 | $2,072 | $12 |
| 25th Percentile | $16,000 | $1,333 | $8 |
| 10th Percentile | $12,000 | $1,000 | $6 |
Highest paying fast food worker jobs
The highest paying types of fast food workers are crew trainer, associate food scientist, and co-worker.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Trainer | $53,128 | $4,427 | $25.54 | 101,338 |
| Crew Member | $28,946 | $2,412 | $13.92 | 239,413 |
| Crew Person | $27,911 | $2,326 | $13.42 | 127,605 |
| Mcdonalds Crew Member | $26,648 | $2,221 | $12.81 | 133,695 |
| Food Service Attendant | $25,604 | $2,134 | $12.31 | 229,108 |
| Cook/Server | $29,716 | $2,476 | $14.29 | 257,582 |
Top companies hiring fast food workers now:
Which companies pay fast food workers the most?
Fast food worker salaries at UC Merced and University of California, Berkeley are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average fast food worker salary at companies like Wintergreen and Chemung Arc are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UC Merced | $47,573 | $22.87 |
| 2 | University of California-Berkeley | $41,589 | $19.99 |
| 3 | Wintergreen | $37,427 | $17.99 |
| 4 | Chemung Arc | $36,266 | $17.44 |
| 5 | University of California | $34,751 | $16.71 |
| 6 | Compass Group USA | $30,218 | $14.53 |
| 7 | University of Iowa Center for Advancement | $30,183 | $14.51 |
| 8 | TPI | $29,965 | $14.41 |
| 9 | Tufts University | $29,509 | $14.19 |
| 10 | El Rio Community Health Center | $29,466 | $14.17 |
| 11 | Legends Hospitality | $29,453 | $14.16 |
| 12 | MSG Entertainment | $26,884 | $12.93 |
| 13 | Bethany Village | $26,850 | $12.91 |
| 14 | North Kansas City Hospital | $26,695 | $12.83 |
| 15 | Legend Holdings | $26,562 | $12.77 |
| 16 | Caliper Family of Companies | $26,047 | $12.52 |
| 17 | Jonathan Club | $25,759 | $12.38 |
| 18 | Papa Gino's | $25,710 | $12.36 |
| 19 | PeopleReady | $25,634 | $12.32 |
| 20 | PSEA | $25,471 | $12.25 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Fast food worker salary trends
The average fast food worker salary has risen by $5,617 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average fast food worker earned $19,243 annually, but today, they earn $24,860 a year. That works out to a 21% change in pay for fast food workers over the last decade.
Compare fast food worker salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average fast food worker salary over time
Compare fast food worker salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Fast food worker salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $24,900 | $11.95 | +4.7% |
| 2024 | $23,700 | $11.40 | +5.4% |
| 2023 | $22,400 | $10.78 | +5.0% |
| 2022 | $21,300 | $10.24 | +3.7% |
| 2021 | $20,500 | $9.87 | +2.7% |
Recently added fast food worker salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Reserve at Lake Keowee | Caddie Corner Food Worker | Cope, SC | 06/21/2025 | $37,566 |
| City of Charleston, Sc | Food and Beverage Worker | Charleston, SC | 06/18/2025 | $40,070 |
| Milwaukee County (Wi | Food & Beverage-(II-Advanced) Park Worker Seasonal | Milwaukee, WI | 06/10/2025 | $20,620 |
| Aramark Corp | Food Prep Worker-Northbrook Skilled Nursing FAC-Food | Lake Zurich, IL | 05/30/2025 | $36,523 |
| Adventist Healthcare | Cold Food Worker, Rotating Shifts, Food and Nutrition | Silver Spring, MD | 05/29/2025 | $35,792 |
| University of Iowa | Food Worker I | Iowa City, IA | 05/21/2025 | $35,416 |
| Aramark | Food Prep Worker | San Jose, CA | 05/16/2025 | $48,940 |
| Aramark | Food Prep Worker I-Lake Crescent | Port Angeles, WA | 05/16/2025 | $37,044 |
| SSP Group | Fast Food Worker | Windsor Locks, CT | 05/08/2025 | $34,394 |
| Advance Services | Catering Food Worker | Iowa City, IA | 05/05/2025 | $33,392 |
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