Highest-paying states for cooks, fast food
District of Columbia leads at $44,670 a year. Pay is not adjusted for local prices; see each page for the cost-of-living view.
| Place | Median | 25th–75th |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $44,670 | $38,800–$48,820 |
| California | $42,050 | $37,260–$43,300 |
| Washington | $39,120 | $36,390–$44,050 |
| New Hampshire | $38,590 | $37,500–$44,290 |
| Vermont | $38,230 | $36,190–$38,740 |
| Oregon | $37,880 | $35,010–$40,280 |
| Colorado | $36,900 | $34,790–$38,990 |
| Maine | $36,350 | $33,770–$37,910 |
| New York | $35,770 | $33,340–$38,130 |
| Rhode Island | $35,230 | $31,200–$35,690 |
| Connecticut | $34,980 | $34,010–$36,180 |
| Illinois | $34,960 | $31,430–$37,350 |
| Minnesota | $34,120 | $29,890–$38,630 |
| Alaska | $33,960 | $31,130–$37,170 |
| Nevada | $33,840 | $27,740–$38,010 |
| Maryland | $33,320 | $31,360–$35,700 |
| Arizona | $32,660 | $30,960–$35,040 |
| New Jersey | $32,220 | $32,220–$36,930 |
| Delaware | $31,840 | $31,200–$38,950 |
| Utah | $31,800 | $29,220–$36,400 |
| Idaho | $31,070 | $23,790–$33,540 |
| South Dakota | $30,950 | $29,330–$33,000 |
| Nebraska | $30,430 | $28,830–$34,850 |
| North Dakota | $30,220 | $29,320–$35,080 |
| New Mexico | $30,190 | $28,740–$35,370 |
| Virginia | $29,950 | $28,330–$34,570 |
| Florida | $29,900 | $28,210–$36,030 |
| Missouri | $29,890 | $28,790–$31,080 |
| Indiana | $29,870 | $28,440–$35,310 |
| Michigan | $29,460 | $27,300–$30,880 |
| Wyoming | $28,950 | $21,930–$34,320 |
| Wisconsin | $28,920 | $27,730–$32,910 |
| Pennsylvania | $28,810 | $25,120–$35,610 |
| Kansas | $28,640 | $24,520–$34,170 |
| Iowa | $28,510 | $16,140–$33,710 |
| Tennessee | $28,330 | $24,550–$34,780 |
| Texas | $28,280 | $23,090–$36,450 |
| Alabama | $27,870 | $23,590–$29,380 |
| Oklahoma | $27,720 | $25,280–$29,280 |
| Arkansas | $27,710 | $24,600–$29,150 |
| South Carolina | $27,420 | $22,830–$33,540 |
| North Carolina | $27,190 | $22,740–$29,190 |
| Georgia | $26,940 | $21,880–$32,060 |
| Ohio | $26,870 | $23,070–$29,710 |
| Montana | $26,770 | $23,920–$33,960 |
| Louisiana | $24,960 | $22,000–$28,190 |
| Kentucky | $23,500 | $22,030–$27,890 |
| West Virginia | $23,120 | $22,290–$26,680 |
| Mississippi | $22,670 | $21,350–$26,750 |
Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025.