Cooks, fast food
BLS projects employment of cooks, fast food to change by +0.6% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations, with about 86,400 openings a year. The median annual wage in 2025 was $30,890 (all occupations: $50,980).
Updated
| Median annual wage, 2025 | $30,890 |
|---|---|
| Employment, 2025 | 640,500 |
| Projected employment, 2035 | 644,100 |
| Change, 2025–35 | +0.6% (+3,600) |
| Openings per year, 2025–35 average | 86,400 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile ↗
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, Table 1.2 Occupational projections, 2025–35, and worker characteristics, 2025 ↗. Employment is for 2025, projections to 2035; median annual wage is for 2025; openings are the projected annual average for 2025–35. Figures are national, not local. Data last downloaded Oct 16, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, fast food make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $30,890 for cooks, fast food in 2025.
What is the job outlook for cooks, fast food?
BLS projects employment to change by +0.6% from 2025 to 2035, with about 86,400 openings per year on average.
What education do cooks, fast food need?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as: No formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training.