Cooks, Fast Food salary in Kansas
Cooks, Fast Food in Kansas earn a median of $28,640 a year ($13.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,680 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $30,890. Kansas ranks 36th of 51 states for cooks, fast food pay. There are 1.1 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.27). The average (mean) salary is $29,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Kansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,480 | $10.81 |
| 25th percentile | $24,520 | $11.79 |
| Median | $28,640 | $13.77 |
| 75th percentile | $34,170 | $16.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,680 | $18.60 |
| Average (mean) | $29,460 | $14.16 |
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 | $2,386.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,193.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,101.54 |
| Weekly | $550.77 |
| Hourly | $13.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $28,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in cities in Kansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $30,170 | 13,850 |
| Lawrence, KS | $29,700 | 110 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $29,620 | 1,020 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $28,600 | 2,030 |
| Topeka, KS | $26,680 | 170 |
| Wichita, KS | $25,580 | 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 |
Related jobs in Kansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,280 | $14.56 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,950 | $15.36 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $27,400 | $13.17 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,220 | $18.37 |
| Bartender | $27,940 | $13.43 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,110 | $13.51 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,300 | $12.65 |
| Dishwasher | $28,060 | $13.49 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $58,390 | $28.07 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Kansas
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 Kansas?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in Kansas is $28,640 a year, or $13.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Kansas?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in Kansas earn at least $38,680 a year. The top 25% earn $34,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Kansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,480 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $24,520 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Kansas?
About 1,610 cooks, fast food are employed in Kansas, not counting the self-employed.