SOC 35-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Fast Food — Massachusetts
Massachusetts · 4 metro areas compared
In Massachusetts the median wage for Cooks, Fast Food is $37,870 a year, which is 22.6% higher than the national figure of $30,890.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Massachusetts the median wage for Cooks, Fast Food is $37,870 a year, which is 22.6% higher than the national figure of $30,890. Half of workers earn between $36,400 and $41,600. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $35,590 and the ninetieth at $48,140.
Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Massachusetts ranks 8th by median wage. Boston leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $41,600. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 685th of 717 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,590 | +15.2% |
| 25th | $36,400 | +17.8% |
| Median (50th) | $37,870 | +22.6% |
| 75th | $41,600 | +34.7% |
| 90th | $48,140 | +55.8% |
| Mean | $40,080 | +29.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Massachusetts
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $41,600 | — | |
| 2 | Barnstable Town | $39,340 | — | |
| 3 | Worcester | $36,770 | — | |
| 4 | Springfield | $35,490 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Massachusetts run 5.8% above the national average, so the median of $37,870 buys what $35,794 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 15.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,870as reported by BLSLocal price level
105.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,794US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,870 a year, 22.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,590 to $48,140 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- It ranks 8th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Boston, at $41,600.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Fast Food in Massachusetts?
The median annual wage is $37,870, or $18.21 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 Massachusetts is 22.6% higher. 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 Massachusetts earns more than $48,140 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,590 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 Boston, at $41,600 per year.
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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