Cooks, Fast Food pay range in Chico
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,520 a year or less, while the top 10% make $45,330 or more. The middle half of cooks, fast food in Chico earn between $37,760 and $42,080.
- $36K10th
- $38K25th
- $40KMedian
- $42K75th
- $45K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $40,300 | $3,358 | $19.38 |
| Median | $40,340 | $3,362 | $19.39 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $37,760 | $3,147 | $18.15 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $42,080 | $3,507 | $20.23 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Cooks, Fast Food pay in Chico vs. California and the U.S.
Cooks, fast food in Chico earn about the same as the California average ($41,490) and 24% more than the U.S. average ($32,390). At the median the gap is +31% against the U.S. median of $30,890.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chico | $40,300 | $40,340 | $35,520 | $45,330 | 580 |
| California | $41,490 | $42,050 | $35,750 | $48,750 | 124,440 |
| United States | $32,390 | $30,890 | $22,580 | $42,910 | 641,070 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Cooks, Fast Food salary after taxes in Chico
On the average salary of $40,300, a single filer in Chico takes home about $33,813 a year, or $2,818 a month and $1,301 every two weeks. Taxes take 16% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is Chico a good place for cooks, fast food? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Chico area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 101.2), so the average $40,300 buys what about $39,823 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Chico ($48,050). A typical home costs $401,581, or 10.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in other California cities
Chico ranks 19th of 25 California metro areas for this job; San Francisco pays the most ($46,590).
- San Francisco$46,590
- San Jose$46,530
- Vallejo$44,360
- Napa$43,910
- Santa Rosa$43,620
- Santa Maria$42,120
- Santa Cruz$42,030
- Salinas$41,940
- Modesto$41,900
- Chico$40,300
Highest-paying cities for cooks, fast food
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($46,590).
- San Francisco, CA$46,590
- San Jose, CA$46,530
- Vallejo, CA$44,360
- Napa, CA$43,910
- Seattle, WA$43,770
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Cooks, Fast Food salary in Chico: questions
How much do cooks, fast food make an hour in Chico?
$19.37 an hour on average, and $19.39 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level cooks, fast food salary in Chico?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,520 a year and the 25th percentile is $37,760, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the cooks, fast food take-home pay in Chico?
About $33,813 a year ($2,818 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $40,300. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do cooks, fast food earn more in Chico than elsewhere?
The average here is 24% more than the U.S. average for this job ($32,390).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-2011; area Chico, CA (17020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.0%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.81, this job is 1.8 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.