Prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. Duties of these cooks are limited to preparation of a few basic items and normally involve operating large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment.
SOC: 35-2011.00
Common Job Titles
Cook
Grill Cook
Line Cook
Pizza Cook
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generated
Key competencies for this occupation at a glance
Hands-onCoordinate multiple food preparation tasks to manage order flow and meet service time standards under pressure.
Proficient
Hands-onOperate large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment including fryers, griddles, and grills in fast-paced restaurant environments following standardized recipes and procedures.
Developing
Hands-onHandle food items and ingredients maintaining food safety and hygiene standards while preparing limited-menu items.
Developing
KnowledgeApply portion control and food preparation procedures to ensure consistency and quality across menu items during high-volume service.
Developing
MindsetRespond to customer service expectations by maintaining a service-oriented attitude during busy shifts.
Developing
KnowledgeInterpret customer orders from POS terminals and order tickets accurately prioritizing tasks based on order sequence and timing requirements.
Developing
MindsetEngage in team coordination and communication with kitchen staff and front-of-house personnel to maintain workflow efficiency.
Developing
KnowledgeExplain basic cooking procedures and safety protocols when training new team members on equipment operation and food handling.
Developing
KnowledgeIdentify food safety hazards and quality issues through continuous monitoring of cooking processes and food storage conditions.
Emerging
KnowledgeSelect appropriate cooking methods and temperatures for different menu items according to established recipes and food safety guidelines.
Emerging
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Cooks, Fast Food (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
668,230
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $22,370. 25th percentile: U.S. $26,540. 50th percentile: U.S. $30,160. 75th percentile: U.S. $35,710. 90th percentile: U.S. $38,980. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
U.S.
Metric
U.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less
$22,370
10% of workers earn the following or more
$38,980
Workers on average earn
$31,140
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Administration and Management3.3/5
Transportation3.3/5
Communications and Media3.2/5
Public Safety and Security3.1/5
Customer and Personal Service3.1/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
