Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Waco, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waco, TX

Median annual salary $26,620 -11.7% vs national
Median hourly $12.80
10th percentile $21,030
90th percentile $38,150
Employed locally 510
National median $30,160

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Cooks, Fast Food
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Waco, TX
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,030
    25th
    $21,130
    50th (median)
    $26,620
    75th
    $31,150
    90th
    $38,150

    Waco economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $63,880 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Fast Food salary vs area income 42% Median Cooks, Fast Food salary is 58% 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
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $29,850
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $29,050
    Midland, TX $28,530
    Longview, TX $27,940
    Odessa, TX $27,830
    San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $27,380

    Related occupations in Waco, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,270
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,120
    Food Preparation Workers $27,840
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $35,660
    Cooks, Restaurant $29,940
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $31,310

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Fast Food in Waco, TX is $12.80, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.90 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Fast Food salary in Waco, TX is 11.7% below 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 Waco?

    Entry-level Cooks, Fast Food (10th percentile) earn around $21,030 per year in Waco, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $21,130.