SOC 35-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Fast Food — High Desert Utah
High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $29,070 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $30,890.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $29,070 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $30,890. Half of workers earn between $27,820 and $34,290. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $26,950 and the ninetieth at $42,860.
The area has 450 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.97 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Provo leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $34,700. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 338th of 349 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,950 | −12.8% |
| 25th | $27,820 | −9.9% |
| Median (50th) | $29,070 | −5.9% |
| 75th | $34,290 | +11.0% |
| 90th | $42,860 | +38.8% |
| Mean | $31,010 | +0.4% |
Other metro areas in Utah
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Provo | $34,700 | 900 | |
| 2 | Salt Lake City | $34,160 | 1,570 | |
| 3 | St. George | $31,800 | 480 | |
| 4 | Logan | $30,500 | 220 | |
| 5 | Ogden | $28,870 | 570 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in High Desert Utah sit close to the national average, so $29,070 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$29,070as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,393US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,070 a year, 5.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $26,950 to $42,860 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 450 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Provo, at $34,700.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Fast Food in High Desert Utah, UT?
The median annual wage is $29,070, or $13.98 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 High Desert Utah, UT is 5.9% 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 High Desert Utah, UT earns more than $42,860 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $26,950 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 Provo, at $34,700 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 450 jobs in this occupation in High Desert Utah, UT. 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.
Explore related data