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SOC 35-2011·Food Preparation & Serving
Cooks, Fast Food
Median wage
$35,136
10-yr outlook
+8.6%by 2032
Openings / year
2,558
Workers in NY
21,210
How pay grows with experience
Cooks, Fast Food — typical pay by experience
Annual wages statewide: starting out, typical (median), and experienced.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting out (entry) | $32,519 |
| Median (typical) | $35,136 |
| Experienced | $37,258 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (NYSDOL / U.S. BLS via data.ny.gov)
Where it pays most across New York
Median pay for this occupation by region. Select a region for its full profile.
Cooks, Fast Food — median pay by region
Regional median annual wage, highest first.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Central New York | $35,170 |
| Hudson Valley | $35,152 |
| Long Island | $35,152 |
| New York City | $35,152 |
| Western New York | $35,002 |
| Finger Lakes | $34,822 |
| Southern Tier | $33,120 |
| North Country | $32,985 |
| Capital Region | $32,240 |
| Mohawk Valley | $32,240 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (NYSDOL / U.S. BLS via data.ny.gov)
A realistic next step
Higher-paying roles in the same field
These occupations are in the same broad field (Food Preparation & Serving) and pay more than a Cooks, Fast Food. It's a transparent “same field, higher pay” guide — not a skills-match score.
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$36,270 median (+$1,133) · +17.9% by 2032
- Dishwashers$36,415 median (+$1,278) · +11.6% by 2032
- Food Preparation Workers$37,049 median (+$1,913) · +9.4% by 2032
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$37,826 median (+$2,689) · +21.4% by 2032
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$38,042 median (+$2,905) · +16.8% by 2032
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$38,126 median (+$2,990) · +21.1% by 2032
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