Cooks, Fast Food salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Cooks, Fast Food in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $33,190 a year ($15.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,900 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,690 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 2% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $32,660. There are 3.3 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $33,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,960 | $14.88 |
| 25th percentile | $31,400 | $15.10 |
| Median | $33,190 | $15.96 |
| 75th percentile | $35,610 | $17.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,690 | $17.64 |
| Average (mean) | $33,920 | $16.31 |
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 | $2,765.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,382.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,276.54 |
| Weekly | $638.27 |
| Hourly | $15.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $33,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arizona at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | $33,950 | 300 |
| Tucson, AZ | $30,830 | 1,480 |
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 |
See Cooks, Fast Food pay in every state or the Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $40,120 | $19.29 |
| Cooks, All Other | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $50,180 | $24.12 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,540 | $16.61 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| Bartender | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $35,080 | $16.87 |
| Dishwasher | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,690 | $17.16 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,400 | $29.52 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $33,190 a year, or $15.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $36,690 a year. The top 25% earn $35,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,960 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $31,400 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 7,900 cooks, fast food are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.