Cooks, Fast Food
Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.
Median salary
$30,890/yr
Typical range
$27,260 – $37,260
Education
High school diploma
Time to entry
No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning
What a Cooks, Fast Food does
You prepare food quickly and accurately in fast-food restaurants by following standardized recipes and operating cooking equipment. You work in a fast-paced environment to serve customers efficiently while maintaining health and safety standards.
Education & path
The typical entry point is a high school diploma. No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning.
Estimated cost of that path: No degree cost. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.
Related careers
- Fast Food and Counter Workers — $31,200/yr
- Baristas — $31,200/yr
- Waiters and Waitresses — $35,230/yr
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,390/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $44,080/yr
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