Cooks, Fast Food salary in Lawrence, KS
Cooks, Fast Food in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn a median of $29,700 a year ($14.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,130 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 4% higher than the Kansas statewide median of $28,640. There are 2.1 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $30,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Lawrence, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,230 | $11.65 |
| 25th percentile | $26,820 | $12.89 |
| Median | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| 75th percentile | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| Average (mean) | $30,960 | $14.88 |
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 | $2,475 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,237.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,142.31 |
| Weekly | $571.15 |
| Hourly | $14.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,700 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $30,170 | 13,850 |
| 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 |
See Cooks, Fast Food pay in every state or the Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lawrence, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,140 | $16.89 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,350 | $15.07 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,080 | $17.34 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,320 | $13.62 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| Bartender | $29,980 | $14.41 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,620 | $10.88 |
| Dishwasher | $27,590 | $13.26 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $26,550 | $12.77 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $44,700 | $21.49 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lawrence, KS
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 Lawrence, KS?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Lawrence, KS metro area is $29,700 a year, or $14.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Lawrence, KS?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn at least $40,130 a year. The top 25% earn $34,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Lawrence, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,230 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $26,820 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Lawrence, KS?
About 110 cooks, fast food are employed in the Lawrence, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.