How much does a fast food worker make in the United States?
This is the median gross salary: half earn more and half earn less. That is $2,615 a month.
- Approx. take-home per month
- $2,278
- Compared with the median pay in the United States
- 0.6 times
- Data from
- 2025
Where the United States ranks among 143 countries
Each line is a country, on a log scale from $100 to $50,000 a year.
In other countries
Median gross salary a year, in dollars.
| 1. Switzerland estimate | $40,620 |
| 2. Iceland estimate | $40,420 |
| 3. United States | $31,380 |
| 4. Denmark estimate | $30,340 |
| 143. Kenya estimate | $80 |
Similar jobs
Elementary occupations
- Kitchen assistant$34,990
By state
Median gross salary a year.
| Massachusetts | $44,250 |
| District of Columbia | $43,760 |
| Hawaii | $43,420 |
| California | $42,220 |
| Washington | $39,700 |
| Vermont | $38,540 |
| Oregon | $38,080 |
| Colorado | $37,850 |
| Maine | $35,920 |
| New York | $35,640 |
See all 51 states
| Rhode Island | $35,500 |
| Illinois | $35,370 |
| Connecticut | $35,040 |
| Arizona | $34,670 |
| New Hampshire | $34,610 |
| Alaska | $34,450 |
| Nevada | $34,310 |
| Maryland | $34,120 |
| New Jersey | $33,900 |
| Minnesota | $33,840 |
| New Mexico | $32,240 |
| Utah | $32,220 |
| Delaware | $32,070 |
| South Dakota | $31,720 |
| Idaho | $31,700 |
| Florida | $30,690 |
| Nebraska | $30,470 |
| Michigan | $30,220 |
| North Dakota | $30,220 |
| Virginia | $30,210 |
| Missouri | $29,890 |
| Iowa | $29,190 |
| Wyoming | $28,950 |
| Wisconsin | $28,720 |
| Tennessee | $28,620 |
| Oklahoma | $28,310 |
| Kansas | $28,290 |
| Alabama | $27,860 |
| Texas | $27,770 |
| Arkansas | $27,770 |
| Ohio | $27,660 |
| South Carolina | $27,620 |
| Indiana | $27,480 |
| North Carolina | $27,340 |
| Montana | $27,000 |
| Georgia | $26,920 |
| Pennsylvania | $26,360 |
| Louisiana | $25,480 |
| Kentucky | $23,740 |
| Mississippi | $23,470 |
| West Virginia | $23,280 |
Jobs in this group in the United States
Official name of each one and its median salary a year.
| Cook | $30,890 |
| Cook | $35,880 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food worker make a month in the United States?
The median gross salary is $2,615 a month, $31,380 a year.
How much does a fast food worker make starting out and with experience?
The lowest-paid 10%, usually people starting out, make around $22,660 a year; the top 10%, with experience or senior roles, make more than $43,260.
Which country pays a fast food worker the most?
United States, with a median of $31,380 a year before tax, according to our data.
Which state pays a fast food worker the most?
Massachusetts, with a median of $44,250 a year.
Does a fast food worker make more in the United States or in Australia?
In the United States: $31,380 a year against $13,620 in Australia, 2.3 times more.
Who makes more, a fast food worker or a kitchen assistant?
A kitchen assistant: $34,990 a year against $31,380 for a fast food worker, 1.1 times more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS survey, 2025. How we calculate