Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Seattle, WA

In Seattle, WA, cooks in the fast food industry earn a median annual salary of $38,830, which translates to approximately $18.67 per hour. This figure represents an increase over the national median annual salary for this occupation, which stands at $30,160. When compared to the local household income, the earnings for fast food cooks are notably lower than the area's median household income of $112,594. Despite this disparity, these wages reflect a competitive edge within the region, given Seattle's cost of living and labor market conditions.

Entry-level cooks in fast food establishments typically earn near the 10th percentile mark at around $35,020 annually, whereas more experienced workers can see their earnings rise to approximately $42,590 by the 75th percentile. Top earners in this field, at the 90th percentile, make close to $73,130 per year. The variation in wages is largely driven by factors such as tenure, experience, and skill proficiency. Additionally, the local economic conditions and demand for labor significantly influence these earnings, with an estimated employment of 4,380 cooks contributing to a relatively stable unemployment rate of 4.30% in Seattle.