SOC 35-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Fast Food — Northeastern Wisconsin
Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Fast Food in Northeastern Wisconsin, WI is $28,800 per year, close to the national median of $30,890 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cooks, Fast Food in Northeastern Wisconsin, WI is $28,800 per year, close to the national median of $30,890 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $27,740 and $31,840. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $22,550 and the ninetieth at $32,910.
The area has 460 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.3 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Janesville records the highest median at $29,930. Of the 429 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 415th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,550 | −27.0% |
| 25th | $27,740 | −10.2% |
| Median (50th) | $28,800 | −6.8% |
| 75th | $31,840 | +3.1% |
| 90th | $32,910 | +6.5% |
| Mean | $28,380 | −8.1% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Janesville | $29,930 | 110 | |
| 2 | Madison | $29,640 | 960 | |
| 3 | Wausau | $29,600 | 130 | |
| 4 | Kenosha | $29,100 | 240 | |
| 5 | Appleton | $29,050 | 280 | |
| 6 | Milwaukee | $28,910 | 2,230 | |
| 7 | Racine | $28,810 | 170 | |
| 8 | Fond du Lac | $28,750 | 150 | |
| 9 | Green Bay | $28,740 | 380 | |
| 10 | Eau Claire | $28,700 | 230 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northeastern Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $28,800 goes as far as $30,606 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,800as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,606US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,800 a year, 6.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,550 to $32,910 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 460 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Janesville, at $29,930.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Fast Food in Northeastern Wisconsin, WI?
The median annual wage is $28,800, or $13.85 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 Northeastern Wisconsin, WI is 6.8% 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 Northeastern Wisconsin, WI earns more than $32,910 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,550 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 Janesville, at $29,930 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 460 jobs in this occupation in Northeastern Wisconsin, WI. 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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