SOC 35-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Fast Food — McAllen
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX · 10 metro areas compared
In McAllen, TX the median wage is $26,740.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In McAllen, TX the median wage is $26,740. That is 13.4% lower than the national median of $30,890. Pay ranges from under $18,650 at the tenth percentile to more than $35,070 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $21,930 to $31,700.
Employment stands at 1,040, or 3.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Austin records the highest median at $38,560. Of the 404 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 382nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18,650 | −39.6% |
| 25th | $21,930 | −29.0% |
| Median (50th) | $26,740 | −13.4% |
| 75th | $31,700 | +2.6% |
| 90th | $35,070 | +13.5% |
| Mean | $27,340 | −11.5% |
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 | Sherman | $26,660 | 190 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in McAllen run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $26,740 goes as far as $27,539 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$26,740as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$27,539US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $26,740 a year, 13.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $18,650 to $35,070 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,040 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 McAllen, TX?
The median annual wage is $26,740, or $12.86 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 McAllen, TX is 13.4% 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 McAllen, TX earns more than $35,070 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $18,650 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 1,040 jobs in this occupation in McAllen, 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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