Cooks, Fast Food salary in Connecticut
Cooks, Fast Food in Connecticut earn a median of $34,980 a year ($16.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,640 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $30,890. Connecticut ranks 13th of 51 states for cooks, fast food pay. There are 2.1 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $36,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Connecticut
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| 25th percentile | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Median | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| 75th percentile | $36,180 | $17.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,640 | $20.50 |
| Average (mean) | $36,360 | $17.48 |
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 | $2,915 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,457.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,345.38 |
| Weekly | $672.69 |
| Hourly | $16.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in Connecticut at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in cities in Connecticut
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $35,810 | 790 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $34,880 | 1,330 |
| New Haven, CT | $34,850 | 720 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $34,180 | 320 |
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 Connecticut
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,120 | $22.17 |
| Cooks, All Other | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $52,940 | $25.45 |
| Bartender | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| Dishwasher | $35,550 | $17.09 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,540 | $16.61 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,210 | $16.45 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,310 | $30.92 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Connecticut
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 Connecticut?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in Connecticut is $34,980 a year, or $16.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Connecticut?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in Connecticut earn at least $42,640 a year. The top 25% earn $36,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Connecticut?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,010 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $34,010 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Connecticut?
About 3,630 cooks, fast food are employed in Connecticut, not counting the self-employed.