Fast Food/Line Cook Salary in the United States

How much does a Fast Food/Line Cook make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Fast Food/Line Cook in the United States is $27,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $13.

However, a Fast Food/Line Cook's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $32,294
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $26,200 to $30,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $24,652
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View as table View as graph 25% $26,200 10% $24,652 90% $32,294 75% $30,200 $27,900 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Fast Food/Line Cook Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $30,200 $2,517 $581 $15
Average $27,900 $2,325 $537 $13
25th Percentile $26,200 $2,183 $504 $13
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Key Factors That Influence Fast Food/Line Cook Salaries

A Fast Food/Line Cook's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Fast Food/Line Cook Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Fast Food/Line Cook's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $27,596
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $27,900
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $28,655
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $28,758
  • Expert (over 8 years): $28,930
Levels Salary
Entry Level Fast Food/Line Cook$27,596
Intermediate Level Fast Food/Line Cook$27,900
Senior Level Fast Food/Line Cook$28,655
Specialist Level Fast Food/Line Cook$28,758
Expert Level Fast Food/Line Cook$28,930
$27,596 0 yr
$27,900 < 2 yrs
$28,655 2-4 yrs
$28,758 5-8 yrs
$28,930 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Fast Food/Line Cook Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Fast Food/Line Cooks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $30,900.
  • California: $30,800.
  • Massachusetts: $30,400.

Top Paying Cities for Fast Food/Line Cooks

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $35,200
  • San Francisco: $34,900
  • Oakland: $34,100

What Skills Can Increase a Fast Food/Line Cook's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 15.8% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Product Quality (Mentioned in 2.27% Job Postings): Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
  • Work Ethic (Mentioned in 1.4% Job Postings): A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 15.8%
Product Quality 2.27%
Work Ethic 1.4%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Fast Food/Line Cook's salary.
  • Oral Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Product Quality: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Cost Control: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Oral Communication
$30,690
10%
Product Quality
$29,574
6%
Cost Control
$29,295
5%
Safety Standards
$29,016
4%
Product Knowledge
$29,016
4%
Presentation
$29,016
4%
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How Education impacts a Fast Food/Line Cook's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Fast Food/Line Cooks enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Fast Food/Line Cook with a No Diploma is between $26,046 and $27,618).

Fast Food/Line Cook Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Fast Food/Line Cook
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 7.1%
High School 66.7%
Associates 10.3%
Bachelors 11.9%
Masters 1.6%
Doctorate 2.4%
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Fast Food/Line Cook Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Fast Food/Line Cook's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Fast Food/Line Cook

Salaries for a Fast Food/Line Cook can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $33,155 in 2023 to around $32,395 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Fast Food/Line Cook salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Fast Food/Line Cook Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$33,155
2024
$33,018
2025
$32,395
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $33,155
2024 $33,018
2025 $32,395
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Fast Food/Line Cook

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Fast Food/Line Cook

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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