Cooks, Fast Food salary in Georgia
Cooks, Fast Food in Georgia earn a median of $26,940 a year ($12.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,940 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,810 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $30,890. Georgia ranks 45th of 51 states for cooks, fast food pay. There are 2.6 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $27,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Georgia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,800 | $10.00 |
| 25th percentile | $21,880 | $10.52 |
| Median | $26,940 | $12.95 |
| 75th percentile | $32,060 | $15.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Average (mean) | $27,560 | $13.25 |
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 | $2,245 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,122.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,036.15 |
| Weekly | $518.08 |
| Hourly | $12.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $26,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in cities in Georgia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Gainesville, GA | $27,890 | 290 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $26,940 | 7,100 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $26,920 | 280 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $26,890 | 940 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $26,780 | 880 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $26,750 | 180 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $26,560 | 790 |
| Valdosta, GA | $23,640 | 270 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $23,140 | 380 |
| Albany, GA | $22,550 | 190 |
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 Georgia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,250 | $16.95 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $26,870 | $12.92 |
| Cooks, All Other | $42,960 | $20.65 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,920 | $12.94 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $18,700 | $8.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,600 | $18.56 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,850 | $13.39 |
| Bartender | $22,830 | $10.98 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,920 | $13.91 |
| Dishwasher | $29,730 | $14.29 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,530 | $15.16 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,230 | $31.84 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Georgia
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 Georgia?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in Georgia is $26,940 a year, or $12.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Georgia?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in Georgia earn at least $36,810 a year. The top 25% earn $32,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Georgia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,800 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $21,880 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Georgia?
About 12,940 cooks, fast food are employed in Georgia, not counting the self-employed.