Fast-food jobs are one of the most popular among U.S. workers, with more than 4.5 million people working for a fast-food restaurant in 2021.
Many of these jobs are entry-level positions, meaning no prior experience or education is typically required to land a fast-food job.
With such a huge number of applicants for these roles, you may be wondering:
How much can I earn working in a fast-food restaurant?
Though the starting rate at many establishments is around $7.50, some offer much more than this.
So, what are the highest-paying fast-food jobs?
Let’s find out.
Are there any high-paying fast food jobs near me? If you’ve had that thought, you’re not the only one. 5,065,599 U.S. workers are employed at fast food restaurants since the industry has seen a 2.7% employment growth in 2022.
Most of these jobs require little to no prior experience, making them perfect for someone just starting their career. But how do you land a fast food job? Let’s find out.
Where can you find fast food jobs?
The U.S. is home to some of the world’s largest fast food chains. Many restaurants are constantly hiring new employees to keep up with customer demand.
Some of the most popular fast food chains always hiring new workers include McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and KFC. Job seekers can usually find open positions on the websites of these fast food chains.
Some locations have more fast food jobs than others. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows the following states employ the higher number of fast food workers in the US.
As the table above shows, California hires the most fast food workers. The hourly wage for a fast food worker in California is $15.61, one of the highest in the nation. Behind California, Texas hires over 350,000 fast food workers and pays a median salary of $10.80 per hour.
What are fast-food jobs like?
Jobs in fast-food chains are fast-paced, systematic, and process-driven.
To succeed in a fast-food restaurant, you’ll need to follow instructions accurately and fit within an established hierarchy (there are usually layers of supervisors and managers).
One of the greatest benefits of working in the fast-food industry is the huge opportunity available when it comes to finding a new job.
For example, if you have experience as a crew member at McDonald’s, then you shouldn’t have too much of an issue finding a new job at Burger King, KFC, or Dunkin’ Donuts.
There are three main kinds of entry-level roles at fast-food companies:
- Team member
- Cook
- Delivery driver
Team member is the most common role. In this position, you’ll handle a number of duties, such as customer service, operating the cash register, cleaning, and maybe some food preparation, depending on the company (at Subway, for example, you’ll help make sandwiches).
However, most fast food jobs involve taking customer orders, preparing food, working the cash register, and cleaning up the restaurant.
Some fast food chains may also require employees to complete more specialized tasks such as running the drive-thru or working as a grill cook.
As a cook, you’ll be preparing meals for customers full-time, and as a delivery driver, you’ll be delivering that food to customers’ homes.
From there, hard-working and high-performing food service workers can move into management positions.
Statista data shows that 4.7 million people were working in the quick service or fast food restaurant sector in 2021. These workers are engaged in a wide range of jobs, as mentioned above.
Looking at the graph, you can see that the number of employees in the fast food sector decreased during 2020, mainly due to the pandemic. However, as businesses started reopening, the number of fast food workers reached an all-time high.
Committed fast-food workers can have a long career in the industry, progressing toward the GM job title and salary (more on that later).
When you work in the fast-food industry, you can work your way into positions like:
- Supervisor
- Shift manager or duty manager
- Restaurant manager
- Area manager
- General manager
Common skills required for fast food jobs
If you plan to work in a fast food restaurant, there are certain skills you will need to succeed. Many of these skills are related to customer service, as providing excellent customer service is essential in the fast food industry. Other important skills include:
- Communication skills
- Organizational skills
- Physical stamina
- Basic math skills
- Patience
- The ability to work well under pressure
- Creativity
- A positive attitude
- The ability to take direction
- The ability to work as part of a team
When applying for a job as a fast food worker, read the job description and note the skills the employer requires. Make sure you mention them in your resume. Here’s an example:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of working in the fast food industry?
There are pros and cons to working in the fast food industry. Some of the positive aspects of the job include:
- Flexible hours: You can often work around your school or another job schedule.
- Get to know a lot of people: You will meet a wide variety of people from all walks of life.
- Free food: Many places offer employees discounts or free meals.
- Chance to earn tips: Fast food workers can make extra money from tips, especially if they consistently provide good customer service.
Some of the potential drawbacks of working in fast food include:
- Low pay: Many entry-level positions in the fast food industry don’t pay very well.
- Long hours on your feet: You will be required to stand for long periods, which can be tiring.
- Fast-paced environment: The fast food industry is known for its fast pace. Know that it can be stressful for some people. On top of that, you might come across impatient or rude customers.
The 15 highest-paying fast-food jobs
Whether you’re already a part of the workforce and looking for a career change, or you’re a high-school student wondering what job you can get at 16 years old, you’re bound to find something for you in our list of highest-paying fast-food jobs.
Let’s look at 15 companies that pay their employees well.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s is one of the world’s most popular fast food restaurants. It is known for its burgers, fries, and shakes. The average salary of a McDonald’s worker is $10.76 per hour.
With more than 13,000 sites in the U.S., there are many employment opportunities at McDonald’s, and managers can earn up to $16 per hour, depending on their location.
Browse McDonald’s jobs on Jobcase.
Browse McDonald’s jobs on Jobcase.
In-N-Out Burger
In-N-Out Burger is an ideal place to work if you’re passionate about delicious food and good customer service. The average salary for an In-N-Out Burger employee is $18.06 per hour, much higher than most other fast food chains.
This is an established company with more than 70 years in the game and over 280 stores.
Browse In-N-Out Burger jobs on Jobcase.
Burger King
Burger King hires a wide range of workers, from entry-level employees to experienced managers. The chain also offers many ways to advance within the company.
On average, Burger King employees earn $10.02 per hour. The salaries differ based on your position at the chain. For instance, you can make up to $14 an hour if you work as a restaurant manager. Meanwhile, crew leaders can earn a maximum of $12 per hour.
Browse Burger King jobs on Jobcase.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A is a popular fast food chain known for its chicken sandwiches. It also pays better than the average fast–food restaurant — on average, the employees at the chain get paid $11.98 per hour.
Your salary increases as you move up the ranks. For example, the restaurant manager is paid $15 on average per hour. Meanwhile, the kitchen manager can also expect the same salary.
Browse Chick-fil-A jobs on Jobcase.
Arby’s
Arby’s employs people with experience in customer service and a willingness to learn more about the food industry. The average salary for an Arby’s employee is $10.51 per hour.
However, you can earn more if you work as a restaurant manager, crew leader, or restaurant assistant manager.
Browse Arby’s jobs on Jobcase.
Five Guys Burgers & Fries
Like McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A, Five Guys pays its employees an average of $12.21 per hour. You can earn a couple of bucks more by becoming a line cook or team leader here.
Five Guys Burgers & Fries is a fast-growing chain with more than 1,392 stores in the U.S.
Browse Five Guys jobs on Jobcase.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s pays its employees an average of $10.10 per hour, which is in line with what most other fast food chains offer. Most employees at the chain are early in their careers. Meanwhile, 10.2% are entry-level workers, while 12.6% are experienced.
Browse Wendy’s jobs on Jobcase.
Panda Express
Panda Express is one of the highest-paying fast-food restaurants around. The company pays an average of $13.13 per hour to its employees.
Here’s what their average hourly rates look like:
Browse Panda Express jobs on Jobcase.
Panera Bread
If burgers and fries aren’t really your thing, then you might enjoy a fast-food job at Panera Bread.
Cashiers earn up to $13 an hour, while bakers can make $10 to $16 per hour.
And with 2,173 locations in the U.S., you’ll likely find job openings at a store near you.
Browse Panera Bread jobs on Jobcase.
Chipotle
Chipotle is another great place to work, and it’s one of the highest-paying fast-food places around.
The average hourly wages at this popular Mexican restaurant are $12.27 per hour. You can expect to earn more depending on your position at the restaurant.
Browse Chipotle jobs on Jobcase.
Domino’s
The last of our highest-paying fast-food restaurants is the pizza giant Domino’s.
At Domino’s, delivery drivers and customer service representatives earn an average of $9 an hour, with the highest-paid managers making as much as $19 hourly.
If you have a car and a license, getting a job as a delivery driver at Domino’s is fairly easy, and with over 6,000 U.S. locations, you likely won’t have to drive far to get to work!
Browse Domino’s jobs on Jobcase.
Domino’s
Domino’s offers full-time and part-time opportunities in both its kitchens and restaurants. The company also offers a variety of positions for those with management experience.
The average hourly wage for Domino’s employees is $10.35 per hour. Most Domino’s employees are in entry-level or early-career positions. Only 6.9% are highly experienced, while 2.2% are in their late careers.
Browse Domino’s jobs on Jobcase.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell has employment opportunities for entry-level and experienced workers. On average, a Taco Bell employee earns $10.57 an hour.
Team leaders can make up to $14 an hour, while assistant general managers can be paid a maximum of $17 per hour.
Browse Taco Bell jobs on Jobcase.
KFC
KFC has a variety of employment opportunities, ranging from customer service and food prep to sales and service management. An average KFC worker earns $10.22 per hour.
However, restaurant assistant managers can be paid anywhere from $10 to $16 per hour. The same applies to customer service supervisors.
Popeyes
Popeyes offers flexible scheduling and other perks to its employees. The average hourly wage for a Popeyes worker is $9.94.
However, your salary will increase as you move up the ranks. For example, a Popeyes assistant manager can be paid $13 per hour. If you become the crew leader, your hourly wage can range from $8 to $21, depending on your experience and location.
Dunkin’
Dunkin employees earn an average of $10.81 per hour. You can earn much higher if you work as a restaurant manager or a team leader. The salary ranges for different positions at the restaurant are as follows.
Starbucks
Starbucks baristas are responsible for a lot more than making your coffee. They also have to work in the kitchen, help customers, and deal with any complaints. Some baristas have to work the register as well.
Starbucks employees earn an average of $11.91 per hour. However, retail shift supervisors can earn up to $18 per hour.
What fast-food job pays the most?
The highest-paying fast-food jobs are definitely managerial roles.
For example, the highest-paid fast-food manager at In-N-Out Burger earns $160,000 a year, nearly four times as much as the average salary of $44,484 for fast-food managers.
Your years of experience are a major factor in determining your salary, with more experienced managers typically earning the most.
Which factors determine a fast food worker’s salary range?
The following factors determine how much a fast food worker will get paid:
- Location
- Education
- Years of experience
- Performance
- Restaurant of employment
Start making more at a fast-food restaurant today
So, which restaurant sounds like it would be a good fit for you?
Wendy’s? Panda Express? Panera Bread?
Regardless of your choice, you’ll be in good hands, with a long career ahead of you if you’re willing to put in the time and commitment.
Ready to get started? Check out the Jobcase job board for vacancies.
Find high-paying fast food jobs in your area with Jobcase
Now that you know about the restaurants that pay well for fast food jobs, you can start searching for jobs in your area. Make sure you take the time to read the job descriptions and requirements carefully so that you can find the perfect position for yourself.
Check out Jobcase for a wide selection of fast food jobs near you.