Line Cook
Cook dishes to order on a busy restaurant line.
- $37,390
- 1–6 months on the job
Hospitality, Food & Tourism career
Fast Food Cook
Also called: Crew Member · Grill Cook · Quick Service Cook · Fry Cook
What fast food cooks do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a fast food cook do?
Fast food cooks prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. The median pay is $30,890 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few days on the job, and employment is projected to grow +0.6% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$30,890$14.85/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+0.6%2025–35, little or no change
- Openings per year86,400Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainA few days on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs640,500Employment, 2025
What fast food cooks do
Fast food cooks keep orders moving. They grill, fry and assemble menu items to standard recipes, follow timers and food safety rules, restock stations and clean equipment.
No formal education is required, and training is short. BLS projects little change with many openings.
Typical duties
- Cook menu items
- Assemble orders
- Follow recipes
- Follow timers
- Restock stations
- Clean equipment
- Follow food safety
Work environment and schedule
Cooks work in fast-paced restaurant kitchens.
Schedule: Part or full time, including nights and weekends.
A day in the life
- Set up the grill.
- Prep lettuce and tomatoes.
- Lunch rush on the grill.
- Restock.
See a full day in the life of a fast food cook →
Fast Food Cook salary
Half of fast food cooks earned more than $30,890 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $22,580 for the lowest 10% to $42,910 for the top 10%.
Full fast food cook pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a fast food cook
- Apply
- Get a food handler card
- Learn stations
- Become a trainer
- Advance
No formal educational credential is required.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a fast food cook →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Grilling
- Frying
- Order assembly
- Food safety
- Timing
People skills
- Speed
- Teamwork
- Reliability
- Calm
All fast food cook skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No experience needed
- Flexible hours
- Fast start
- Path to management
Cons
- Low pay
- Hot kitchens
- Fast pace
- Repetitive
Certifications and licenses
- Food handler card: Often required.
- ServSafe: For managers.
- Crew training: Employer.
- Allergen training: Helpful.
Career path
- Crew Member: Entry.
- Trainer: Train.
- Shift Manager: Lead shifts.
- Restaurant Manager: Run store.
Learn the job before day one
Our Fast Food Cook training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as keep up during a lunch rush and fry food safely, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Prep Cook
Prepare the ingredients that make every kitchen service possible.
- $35,320
- 1–4 weeks
Cashier
Ring up purchases, handle payments and give customers a friendly checkout.
- $32,880
- Several days
Food Service Supervisor
Lead food service shifts, crews and quality at restaurants and cafeterias.
- $44,080
- 6–12 months of experience
Compare: Fast Food Cook vs. Line Cook · Fast Food Cook vs. Prep Cook · Fast Food Cook vs. Cashier · Fast Food Cook vs. Food Service Supervisor
Fast Food Cook FAQ
Do I need experience?
No.
Is there a path up?
Yes, to shift lead and manager.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects little change with many openings.
How much does a fast food cook make?
The median annual wage for fast food cooks was $30,890 ($14.85 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $22,580 and the highest 10% earned more than $42,910.
How long does it take to become a fast food cook?
Most people need about A few days on the job of training. No formal educational credential is required.
Do you need a degree to be a fast food cook?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More fast food cook questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 35-2011 (Cooks, fast food).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Cooks, fast food (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.