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KFC salary estimate

$12.17hourly

$25,307 yearly

Entry-level salary
$18,000 yearly salary
Updated December 15, 2025

KFC Salaries Overview

KFC offers a diverse range of salaries depending on the role and department. The average salary across the company is $25,307, with noticeable variations. For example, team leaders average $33,063 annually, highlighting the potential for leadership positions. In contrast, entry-level roles such as servers and cashiers earn about $23,767.

Departments play a significant role in salary distribution. Employees in the plant and manufacturing department enjoy the highest average pay at $27,199. The customer service department follows closely with an average of $24,921. Conversely, roles in the retail and warehouse departments see lower averages of $24,895 and $24,625, respectively.

Comparatively, KFC’s competitors, such as Yum! Brands and PepsiCo, report higher average salaries, with Yum! Brands reaching $48,128. This competitive landscape positions KFC as a viable option for job seekers looking for opportunities in the fast-food industry.

Highest paying jobs at KFC

The highest paying jobs at KFC are team leader, assistant manager, shift manager, and shift supervisor. Team leader jobs at KFC earn an average yearly salary of $33,063, KFC assistant manager jobs average $28,027, and KFC shift manager jobs average $26,918.

The lowest paying KFC roles include server and hostess and cashier. KFC server and hostess average salary is $23,767 per year. So while the average KFC salary is $25,307 there is a big variation in pay depending on the role.

Highest paying jobs at KFC

RankJob titleAverage KFC salaryHourly rate
1Team Leader$33,063$15.90
2Assistant Manager$28,027$13.47
3Shift Manager$26,918$12.94
4Shift Supervisor$26,787$12.88
5Cook$24,439$11.75
6Sales Associate$24,279$11.67
7Customer Service Representative$24,190$11.63
8Food Service Worker$24,104$11.59
9Food Prep$23,986$11.53
10Crew Member$23,849$11.47
11Cashier$23,783$11.43
12Server And Hostess$23,768$11.43

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How much does KFC pay by location?

The average KFC salary varies by location. KFC salaries are the highest in Tumwater, WA, at $32,487 per year. KFC pays the second highest average salary in Bonita, CA, at $30,926 per year. It's important to factor in the cost of living when negotiating a salary or choosing a place to work.

Highest paying KFC locations

RankLocationAverage KFC salaryHourly rate
1Tumwater, WA$32,487$15.62
2Bonita, CA$30,926$14.87
3Nome, AK$30,909$14.86
4Buffalo, NY$30,542$14.68
5Annapolis, MD$26,596$12.79
6Sterling Heights, MI$25,730$12.37
7Butte-Silver Bow, MT$25,463$12.24
8Toledo, OH$24,912$11.98
9Virginia Beach, VA$24,769$11.91
10Houston, TX$24,368$11.72
11West Palm Beach, FL$23,894$11.49
12Johnson City, TN$23,593$11.34
13Elk City, OK$23,321$11.21
14Charlotte, NC$23,187$11.15
15Blairsville, GA$22,946$11.03
16Louisville, KY$22,713$10.92
17Bluffton, SC$22,525$10.83
18Birmingham, AL$22,404$10.77
19Beckley, WV$22,040$10.60
20Baton Rouge, LA$21,967$10.56

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KFC salaries by department

Salaries at KFC vary depending on the department you work in. KFC salaries in the plant/manufacturing department are the highest with an average salary of $27,199. Employees in the customer service department at KFC receive relatively high salaries as well, with an average salary of $24,921 per year. Departments that don't pay as well at KFC include the warehouse and the retail organizational functions, with employees earning average salaries of $24,625 and $24,895, respectively.

Average KFC salary by department

RankDepartmentAverage KFC salaryHourly rate
1Plant/Manufacturing$27,199$13.08
2Customer Service$24,921$11.98
3Hospitality/Service$24,896$11.97
4Retail$24,895$11.97
5Warehouse$24,625$11.84

How much does KFC pay by department?

Best paying KFC retail salaries

RankPositionAverage KFC salaryHourly rate
1Store Manager$33,804$16.25
2Team Leader$33,063$15.90
3Assistant Manager$28,027$13.47
4Shift Supervisor$26,787$12.88
5Cashier$23,783$11.43

Best paying KFC hospitality/service salaries

RankPositionAverage KFC salaryHourly rate
1Restaurant General Manager$34,983$16.82
2Chef$31,341$15.07
3Restaurant Manager$28,580$13.74
4Lead Crew Member$24,719$11.88
5Cook$24,439$11.75
6Food Service Worker$24,104$11.59
7Dish Washer$24,072$11.57
8Food Prep$23,986$11.53
9Server And Hostess$23,768$11.43
10Cinder Crew Worker$23,697$11.39

Best paying KFC plant/manufacturing salaries

RankPositionAverage KFC salaryHourly rate
1General Manager$36,273$17.44
2Shift Manager$26,918$12.94
3Crew Trainer$26,254$12.62
4Manufacturing Team Member$24,867$11.96
5Line Up Worker$24,591$11.82
6Line Cook$24,532$11.79
7Cooker Cleaner$24,470$11.76
8Service Team Member$24,445$11.75
9Fry Cook$24,428$11.74
10Food Prep/Dishwasher$23,978$11.53

KFC competitors’ average salaries

Average salaries at KFC competitors, like Yum! Brands, PepsiCo, and Panera Bread, vary. Yum! Brands employees earn the highest salaries, with an average yearly salary of $48,128. The average salary at PepsiCo is $47,774 per year, and the average salary at Panera Bread is $32,973 per year.

Highest paying KFC competitors

RankCompany nameZippia scoreAverage salary
1Yum! Brands4.9$48,128
2PepsiCo4.5$47,774
3Panera Bread4.3$32,973
4Johnny Rockets3.9$28,695
5Pizza Hut4.1$28,541
6Interfoods of America, Inc.3.8$27,910
7Dunkin' Donuts4.1$27,851
8Little Caesars4.3$27,793
9Chick-fil-A4.4$27,387
10Applebee's Canada4.2$27,331
11Church's Chicken4.2$27,270
12Hardee's Food Systems Inc4.2$27,230
13Sonic Drive-In4.3$27,013
14Taco Bell4.2$26,941
15Arby's4.2$26,872
16Dairy Queen4.1$26,822
17Burger King4.5$26,543
18Wendy's4.3$26,046
19Subway4.2$25,489
20McDonald's4.4$25,163

Recently added KFC salaries

JobLocationDate addedSalary
Staff Security ArchitectLouisville, KY06/28/2025$145,000
FP&A Analyst, Technology Solutions and CybersecurityLouisville, KY06/28/2025$87,100
Audit AnalystLouisville, KY06/28/2025$78,300
Technical WriterLouisville, KY06/28/2025$96,000
Director, Franchise DevelopmentNome, TX06/27/2025$160,400

What employees say about salary at KFC

Employee reviews
profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2024
Pros of working at KFC

to get same money to meet my needs and for my sisters and brothers

Cons of working at KFC

food services and delivering food to other workers in the company

KFC benefits

eating free food ,good security,geting money on time ,free transport

What do you like best about KFC's CEO and the leadership team?

he understand his employees, smile with every one ,no too much work , enough equipment for the work

How would you improve KFC's culture?

they should improve by expanding the resturant the place where i worked

How did you prepare for the KFC interview?

the CEO

What brings you the most joy at KFC?

time manegment

What's the diversity at KFC like?

good as well

How does your compensation at KFC compare to the industry average?

no difference but i am planing to get more money

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1.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2024
Pros of working at KFC

None really

Cons of working at KFC

Everything I'm a cook we only have one cook scheduled at all times but 3 to 5 front at all times we don't get raises labor can't go over 18 % if we drop something on floor we still have to use it we make people pull to the side just to make it look like our drive thru time is fast nobody does shift change prep or proper training

KFC benefits

We have no benefit

What do you like best about KFC's CEO and the leadership team?

Not much I don't know them

How would you improve KFC's culture?

No comment

How did you prepare for the KFC interview?

Dressed like other interviews

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3.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2023
Pros of working at KFC

The hours are available almost always to work 40 hrs week

Cons of working at KFC

The way management speaks to you, belittles you, inconsistent training, lack of training, "do as I say, not as I do" mentalility. The unavailability of management any higher than the stores RGM

KFC benefits

Lienency with running late, or unexpected emergencies. You don't get fired like you would at a factory.

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5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2023
Pros of working at KFC

they get fast food any time they want

Cons of working at KFC

there is none

KFC benefits

getting slushys any time i want

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4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2023
Pros of working at KFC

Flexible work hours.

Cons of working at KFC

Being at KFC may not help in the long run if you want a professional career

KFC benefits

25% discount on all meals puechased.

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5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2023
Pros of working at KFC

I love the guest and I love how everyone works together as a team

Cons of working at KFC

nothing

KFC benefits

we do not have benefit

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3.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2023
Pros of working at KFC

Mangers always show their appreciation to me, and they promote my to shift supervisor. The general manager of the store gave a flexible schedule with my school schedule. Also my co-workers are being so supportive and helpful.

Cons of working at KFC

The location of the store makes me so uncomfortable because customers always cause so many problems everyday and they sometimes customers be yelling at the employees and threat them.

KFC benefits

Thanks to the store manger he gave me a flexible schedule that goes with my school schedule.

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5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2023
Pros of working at KFC

I get to build my communication skills And meet new people

Cons of working at KFC

Sometimes the customers can be very disrespect

KFC benefits

Insurance

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5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2023
Pros of working at KFC

sneaking chickin into my moth

Cons of working at KFC

the money is bad and my co workers are bad

KFC benefits

chicken its yum yum i take 1 peic out of the 20 peic

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3.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2023
Pros of working at KFC

Many adventures,and comfortable working space.

Cons of working at KFC

Low pay and adverse weather conditions.

KFC benefits

Transport network is good .

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5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022
Pros of working at KFC

being a team member there

Cons of working at KFC

Don’t wanna give any over time nor train you to be anything else

KFC benefits

50% employees discount

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2.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2022
Pros of working at KFC

The coworkers

Cons of working at KFC

I don’t like how the training was one day and then the second day they just left you on your own, it was extremely stressful

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2.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2021
Pros of working at KFC

I get to communicate with a lot of customers daily

Cons of working at KFC

The rush and pay rate is low

KFC benefits

I got free lunch

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5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2021
Pros of working at KFC

I had the chance to grow, I was always ready to learn to the point I was able to do certain task management does.

Cons of working at KFC

That I was to young to become a manager even though I knew how to do everything.

KFC benefits

Being able to satisfy customers and being able to have a free meal.

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1.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2021
Pros of working at KFC

Working with team members.

Cons of working at KFC

There was no respect for normal employees and there was too much pressure to work.

KFC benefits

There was no benefit.

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2.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2021
Pros of working at KFC

nothing

Cons of working at KFC

even just being there makes you sick

KFC benefits

i have absolutley no benefits there

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Frequently asked questions about KFC salaries

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Zippia gives an in-depth look into the details of KFC, including salaries, political affiliations, employee data, and more, in order to inform job seekers about KFC. The employee data is based on information from people who have self-reported their past or current employments at KFC. The data on this page is also based on data sources collected from public and open data sources on the Internet and other locations, as well as proprietary data we licensed from other companies. Sources of data may include, but are not limited to, the BLS, company filings, estimates based on those filings, H1B filings, and other public and private datasets. While we have made attempts to ensure that the information displayed are correct, Zippia is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of this information. None of the information on this page has been provided or approved by KFC. The data presented on this page does not represent the view of KFC and its employees or that of Zippia.

KFC may also be known as or be related to KFC, KFC Corp., KFC Corporation, KFC Corporation Kentucky Fried Chicken Corp, Kfc, Ledington Foods of Elizabethtown, Inc and Kentucky Fried Chicken.