SOC 35-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Fast Food — Worcester
Worcester, MA · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Worcester, MA comes to $36,770 a year, ahead of the national median of $30,890 by 19.0%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Worcester, MA comes to $36,770 a year, ahead of the national median of $30,890 by 19.0%. Pay ranges from under $33,820 at the tenth percentile to more than $47,110 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $34,910 to $37,830.
Within the state, Boston records the highest median at $41,600. Of the 481 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 457th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,820 | +9.5% |
| 25th | $34,910 | +13.0% |
| Median (50th) | $36,770 | +19.0% |
| 75th | $37,830 | +22.5% |
| 90th | $47,110 | +52.5% |
| Mean | $38,120 | +23.4% |
Other metro areas in Massachusetts
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $41,600 | — | |
| 2 | Barnstable Town | $39,340 | — | |
| 3 | Springfield | $35,490 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Worcester run 5.8% above the national average, so the median of $36,770 buys what $34,754 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 12.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,770as reported by BLSLocal price level
105.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$34,754US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,770 a year, 19.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $33,820 to $47,110 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Boston, at $41,600.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Fast Food in Worcester, MA?
The median annual wage is $36,770, or $17.68 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 Worcester, MA is 19.0% 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 Worcester, MA earns more than $47,110 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $33,820 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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