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Occupation · SOC 35-2011

Cooks, Fast Food

There are 641,070 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $30,890 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

Food ServiceTypical education: No formal educational credential
641,070
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$30,890
Median pay a year
Middle half: $27,260–$37,260
86,400
Annual openings
10-year change: +0.6%
No formal educational credential
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 297 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $38,000 · LCA filings 048,440$38,0000
St. Louis, MO–ILMedian pay $30,860 · LCA filings 017,700$30,8600
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $42,480 · LCA filings 016,910$42,4800
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCMedian pay $27,690 · LCA filings 015,830$27,6900
Kansas City, MO–KSMedian pay $30,170 · LCA filings 013,850$30,1700
Raleigh–Cary, NCMedian pay $28,220 · LCA filings 011,500$28,2200
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $42,450 · LCA filings 010,630$42,4500
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $35,800 · LCA filings 010,580$35,8000
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $35,360 · LCA filings 010,460$35,3600
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $35,780 · LCA filings 010,410$35,7800

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 4,790 · LCA filings 0$47,2204,7900
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 10,160 · LCA filings 0$46,67010,1600
Napa, CAEmployment 370 · LCA filings 0$45,3003700
Vallejo, CAEmployment 1,150 · LCA filings 0$44,4501,1500
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 5,190 · LCA filings 0$44,0305,1900

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $38,334 · Level III $40,186 · Level IV $42,058$36,462$38,334$40,186$42,058
St. Louis, MO–ILLevel II $31,138 · Level III $32,448 · Level IV $33,779$29,806$31,138$32,448$33,779
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $38,854 · Level III $41,392 · Level IV $43,950$36,296$38,854$41,392$43,950
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCLevel II $25,938 · Level III $28,704 · Level IV $31,470$23,171$25,938$28,704$31,470
Kansas City, MO–KSLevel II $30,222 · Level III $31,221 · Level IV $32,240$29,203$30,222$31,221$32,240
Raleigh–Cary, NCLevel II $25,771 · Level III $28,059 · Level IV $30,326$23,504$25,771$28,059$30,326
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $39,166 · Level III $41,683 · Level IV $44,200$36,650$39,166$41,683$44,200
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $34,653 · Level III $37,440 · Level IV $40,206$31,886$34,653$37,440$40,206
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $33,821 · Level III $35,963 · Level IV $38,126$31,658$33,821$35,963$38,126
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $34,715 · Level III $36,754 · Level IV $38,771$32,698$34,715$36,754$38,771

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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Related occupations · Food Service

Fast Food and Counter WorkersWaiters and WaitressesCooks, RestaurantFirst-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving WorkersFood Preparation WorkersBartendersHosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee ShopDining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology