Cooks, Fast Food Salary in District of Columbia
Cooks, Fast Foods in District of Columbia make a median of $38,350 a year, or about $18.44 an hour. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $50K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $38K get you in District of Columbia?
About cooks, fast foods
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level cooks, fast foods (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $38K.Top earners bring in $50K or more - a $13K spread from bottom to top.
Cooks, Fast Food pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $40K | +34% | 830 |
| District of Columbia | $38K | +27% | 2,610 |
| New Hampshire | $37K | +23% | 2,280 |
| Massachusetts | $37K | +23% | 5,140 |
| Vermont | $37K | +23% | 1,060 |
| Oregon | $37K | +23% | 4,360 |
| Washington | $37K | +22% | 8,630 |
| California | $36K | +21% | 136,550 |
| Alaska | $36K | +19% | 2,930 |
| Maine | $36K | +19% | 1,970 |
| Rhode Island | $36K | +18% | N/A |
| New York | $34K | +13% | 21,210 |
| New Jersey | $34K | +13% | 5,360 |
| Connecticut | $34K | +12% | 3,950 |
| Nevada | $33K | +8% | 6,610 |
Track cooks, fast food salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, fast foods make in District of Columbia?
The median is $38,350 a year - that works out to about $18.44 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,640, and experienced cooks, fast foods can clear $49,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $38K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,636/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,246/month (median of metro areas), which eats 85.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a cooks, fast food salary go in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median cooks, fast food salary is worth about $38,350 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do cooks, fast foods get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.