SOC 35-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Fast Food — West Delta Mississippi
West Delta Mississippi nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay in West Delta Mississippi, MS is $21,970 a year, 28.9% under the national median of $30,890 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in West Delta Mississippi, MS is $21,970 a year, 28.9% under the national median of $30,890 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $18,730 and $27,110. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $18,090 and the ninetieth at $28,660.
The area has 950 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 10.3 of every thousand jobs. Hattiesburg leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $23,470. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 295th of 303 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18,090 | −41.4% |
| 25th | $18,730 | −39.4% |
| Median (50th) | $21,970 | −28.9% |
| 75th | $27,110 | −12.2% |
| 90th | $28,660 | −7.2% |
| Mean | $22,940 | −25.7% |
Other metro areas in Mississippi
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hattiesburg | $23,470 | 1,010 | |
| 2 | Gulfport | $23,410 | 1,720 | |
| 3 | Jackson | $22,310 | 2,470 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Delta Mississippi run 13.0% below the national average, so the median of $21,970 goes as far as $25,253 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$21,970as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$25,253US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $21,970 a year, 28.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $18,090 to $28,660 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 950 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Hattiesburg, at $23,470.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Fast Food in West Delta Mississippi, MS?
The median annual wage is $21,970, or $10.56 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 West Delta Mississippi, MS is 28.9% 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 West Delta Mississippi, MS earns more than $28,660 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $18,090 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 Hattiesburg, at $23,470 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 950 jobs in this occupation in West Delta Mississippi, MS. 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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