Cooks, Fast Food salary in Maine
Cooks, Fast Food in Maine earn a median of $36,350 a year ($17.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,280 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $30,890. Maine ranks 10th of 51 states for cooks, fast food pay. There are 2.3 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $36,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Maine
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,350 | $15.07 |
| 25th percentile | $33,770 | $16.23 |
| Median | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| 75th percentile | $37,910 | $18.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,280 | $21.29 |
| Average (mean) | $36,740 | $17.66 |
Half of cooks, fast food earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,029.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,514.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,398.08 |
| Weekly | $699.04 |
| Hourly | $17.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in cities in Maine
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $36,310 | 500 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $35,470 | 120 |
| Bangor, ME | $34,560 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, fast food
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $48,120 |
| District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| California | $42,050 |
| Washington | $39,120 |
| New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| Vermont | $38,230 |
| Oregon | $37,880 |
| Massachusetts | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $36,900 |
| Maine | $36,350 |
Related jobs in Maine
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,290 | $21.78 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,710 | $16.69 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Bartender | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| Dishwasher | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,680 | $18.11 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Maine
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, fast food make in Maine?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in Maine is $36,350 a year, or $17.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Maine?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in Maine earn at least $44,280 a year. The top 25% earn $37,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Maine?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,350 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $33,770 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Maine?
About 1,470 cooks, fast food are employed in Maine, not counting the self-employed.