Cooks, Fast Food salary in Worcester, MA
Cooks, Fast Food in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median of $36,770 a year ($17.68 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $33,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,110 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 3% lower than the Massachusetts statewide median of $37,870. The average (mean) salary is $38,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Worcester, MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,820 | $16.26 |
| 25th percentile | $34,910 | $16.78 |
| Median | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| 75th percentile | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| Average (mean) | $38,120 | $18.33 |
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 | $3,064.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,532.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,414.23 |
| Weekly | $707.12 |
| Hourly | $17.68 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $41,600 | n/a |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $39,340 | n/a |
| Springfield, MA | $35,490 | n/a |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $35,260 | 1,390 |
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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Worcester, MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,250 | $21.27 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $40,780 | $19.61 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,610 | $16.64 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,840 | $17.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,500 | $21.87 |
| Bartender | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Dishwasher | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $33,620 | $16.17 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,870 | $17.25 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,620 | $31.07 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Worcester, MA
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 Worcester, MA?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Worcester, MA metro area is $36,770 a year, or $17.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Worcester, MA?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Worcester, MA metro area earn at least $47,110 a year. The top 25% earn $37,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Worcester, MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,820 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $34,910 or less.