Cooks, Fast Food salary in Tucson, AZ
Cooks, Fast Food in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $30,830 a year ($14.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $33,860 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 6% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $32,660. There are 3.8 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,580 | $14.70 |
| 25th percentile | $30,580 | $14.70 |
| Median | $30,830 | $14.82 |
| 75th percentile | $31,550 | $15.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $33,860 | $16.28 |
| Average (mean) | $31,700 | $15.24 |
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 | $2,569.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,284.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,185.77 |
| Weekly | $592.88 |
| Hourly | $14.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | $33,950 | 300 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $33,190 | 7,900 |
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 Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,620 | $18.09 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| Cooks, All Other | $38,800 | $18.65 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,690 | $15.24 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,200 | $18.36 |
| Bartender | $36,450 | $17.52 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,990 | $16.82 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $33,560 | $16.14 |
| Dishwasher | $33,490 | $16.10 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,010 | $15.39 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $49,990 | $24.04 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, 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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $30,830 a year, or $14.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $33,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $33,860 a year. The top 25% earn $31,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,580 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $30,580 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Tucson, AZ?
About 1,480 cooks, fast food are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.