SOC 35-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Fast Food — Border Region of Texas
Border Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
In Border Region of Texas, TX the median wage is $25,730.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Border Region of Texas, TX the median wage is $25,730. That is 16.7% lower than the national median of $30,890. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $21,770 and $36,570. The lowest tenth earn under $19,860, while the highest tenth earn more than $36,650.
Employment stands at 230, or 4.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Austin leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $38,560. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 187th of 194 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19,860 | −35.7% |
| 25th | $21,770 | −29.5% |
| Median (50th) | $25,730 | −16.7% |
| 75th | $36,570 | +18.4% |
| 90th | $36,650 | +18.6% |
| Mean | $27,900 | −9.7% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin | $38,560 | 4,540 | |
| 2 | Midland | $31,240 | 300 | |
| 3 | San Antonio | $30,110 | 4,470 | |
| 4 | Dallas | $30,010 | 6,490 | |
| 5 | Corpus Christi | $29,230 | 590 | |
| 6 | Killeen | $29,020 | 510 | |
| 7 | Longview | $28,990 | 540 | |
| 8 | Odessa | $27,520 | 210 | |
| 9 | Waco | $27,470 | 500 | |
| 10 | McAllen | $26,740 | 1,040 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Border Region of Texas run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $25,730 goes as far as $26,498 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$25,730as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$26,498US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $25,730 a year, 16.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $19,860 to $36,650 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 230 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Austin, at $38,560.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Fast Food in Border Region of Texas, TX?
The median annual wage is $25,730, or $12.37 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $30,890, so pay in Border Region of Texas, TX is 16.7% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Border Region of Texas, TX earns more than $36,650 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $19,860 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Austin, at $38,560 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 230 jobs in this occupation in Border Region of Texas, TX. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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