Cooks, Fast Food pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC), the median pay for cooks, fast food is $17.21 an hour ($35,800 a year). About 10,580 people work in this job there.
That is 16% higher than the U.S. median ($30,890). It is 20% lower than the District of Columbia median ($44,670).
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| 25% of workers | $16.12 | $33,520 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.21 | $35,800 |
| 75% of workers | $19.38 | $40,310 |
| 90% of workers | $22.60 | $47,000 |
Cooks, Fast Food pay in District of Columbia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (this page) | $35,800 | 10,580 |
District of Columbia unemployment rate: 5.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, fast food
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +0.6% over ten years, little or no change · about 86,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,600 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $42,920 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $37,630 |
| Bakers | $38,650 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $44,880 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $39,650 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $44,160 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.