Cooks, Fast Food salary in Massachusetts
Cooks, Fast Food in Massachusetts earn a median of $37,870 a year ($18.21 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $35,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,140 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $30,890. Massachusetts ranks 8th of 51 states for cooks, fast food pay. The average (mean) salary is $40,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,590 | $17.11 |
| 25th percentile | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Median | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| 75th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,140 | $23.15 |
| Average (mean) | $40,080 | $19.27 |
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 | $3,155.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,577.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,456.54 |
| Weekly | $728.27 |
| Hourly | $18.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,870 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $41,600 | n/a |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $39,340 | n/a |
| Worcester, MA | $36,770 | n/a |
| Springfield, MA | $35,490 | n/a |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $35,260 | 1,390 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $47,790 | $22.98 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Cooks, All Other | $69,570 | $33.45 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| Bartender | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Dishwasher | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,540 | $33.43 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,750 | $17.67 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in Massachusetts is $37,870 a year, or $18.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in Massachusetts earn at least $48,140 a year. The top 25% earn $41,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,590 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $36,400 or less.