Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Chico, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chico, CA

Median annual salary $36,060 +19.6% vs national
Median hourly $17.34
10th percentile $33,840
90th percentile $42,990
Employed locally 630
National median $30,160

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Cooks, Fast Food
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Chico, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,840
    25th
    $35,120
    50th (median)
    $36,060
    75th
    $41,640
    90th
    $42,990

    Chico economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,574 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Fast Food salary vs area income 53% Median Cooks, Fast Food salary is 47% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Fast Food

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $41,980
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $41,800
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $40,580
    Hawaii $40,300
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $39,260
    Napa, CA $39,210

    Nearby metros — Cooks, Fast Food salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $41,980
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $41,800
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $39,260
    Napa, CA $39,210
    Vallejo, CA $39,110
    Salinas, CA $37,960

    Related occupations in Chico, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,790
    Waiters and Waitresses $33,560
    Cooks, Restaurant $38,020
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $45,290
    Bartenders $33,760
    Food Preparation Workers $35,680

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Fast Food make per hour in Chico?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Fast Food in Chico, CA is $17.34, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.79 or more per hour.

    Is Chico above or below average for Cooks, Fast Food salaries?

    The median Cooks, Fast Food salary in Chico, CA is 19.6% above the national median of $30,160. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Chico?

    Entry-level Cooks, Fast Food (10th percentile) earn around $33,840 per year in Chico, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,120.