What is the average fast food wage in 2026?

The average fast food crew member wage in 2026 ranges from $12 to $20 per hour depending on the brand and state. Chick-fil-A and In-N-Out tend to pay above average, while some chains start closer to state minimum wage.

Which fast food chain pays the most?

In-N-Out Burger, Chick-fil-A, and Chipotle consistently rank among the highest-paying QSR chains. In-N-Out starts crew members at $19-23/hr in many markets, significantly above the industry average.

How much do fast food managers make?

QSR shift managers typically earn $15-22/hr, assistant managers $40,000-55,000/yr, and general managers $50,000-80,000/yr. Pay varies significantly by brand, location, and experience level.

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QSR Wage Benchmarking Tool

Compare fast food wages across 20 major QSR brands. See how pay stacks up against industry averages and living wages in your state. Real data from BLS, Glassdoor, and Indeed.

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Real Industry Data

Wage ranges sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor, and Indeed salary reports. Updated for 2026.

State-by-State Comparison

See how wages compare to living wage estimates in all 50 states. MIT Living Wage Calculator data.

Benefits Breakdown

Compare health insurance, tuition assistance, signing bonuses, and more across all major QSR brands.

QSR Wage Benchmarking Tool

Compare QSR wages across brands and positions. Based on real data from BLS, Glassdoor, and Indeed.

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Choose a QSR brand above to see wage data, benefits, and comparisons.

Key Wage Insights (2026)

Highest Paying Brands

•In-N-Out Burger: Crew members start at $16–21/hr. Store managers earn $120K–200K annually.
•Chipotle: Crew members $13–18/hr, GMs $65K–100K. Debt-free tuition assistance.
•Starbucks: Baristas $13–18.50/hr. Full tuition coverage via ASU partnership.
•Chick-fil-A: Team members $12–16.50/hr. Known for competitive benefits and scholarships.

Industry Trends

•Crew Member Median: $12.50–14/hr across most brands. Higher in CA, NY, WA, MA.
•Manager Shortage: Many brands offering signing bonuses ($1K–5K) for shift and assistant managers.
•Benefits Gap: Corporate-owned locations (Chipotle, Starbucks, In-N-Out) offer significantly better benefits than most franchises.
•Living Wage: Most QSR crew wages fall short of MIT Living Wage Calculator benchmarks in high-cost states.

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How to Use This Tool

1. Select Your Brand & Position

Choose from 20 major QSR brands and select a position: crew member, shift manager, assistant manager, or general manager. The tool shows real pay ranges from industry data.

2. Choose Your State

Select your state to see how the wage compares to the local living wage. Living wage estimates are based on MIT Living Wage Calculator data for a single adult with no children.

3. Compare Your Wage

Enter your current wage (if applicable) to see how it stacks up against the brand median, industry average, and living wage for your state. Perfect for evaluating job offers or planning salary negotiations.

4. Compare Brands Side-by-Side

Select up to 3 additional brands to compare wages and benefits packages. See which brands offer health insurance, tuition assistance, signing bonuses, and more.

Data Sources & Methodology

Wage Data: Pay ranges compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Glassdoor salary reports, Indeed salary data, and company-disclosed hiring ranges where available. Data represents typical ranges as of early 2026.

Living Wage Data: State-by-state living wage estimates sourced from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, representing the hourly wage needed for a single adult with no children to afford basic necessities (housing, food, transportation, healthcare, taxes).

Benefits: Benefits information collected from company career pages, franchise disclosure documents (FDDs), and employee reports. Benefits availability varies significantly between corporate-owned and franchise-owned locations.

Disclaimer: Actual wages vary by location, experience, performance, franchise ownership, and local labor market conditions. This tool provides general benchmarks only and should not be considered a guarantee of compensation. Always verify wage and benefits details directly with the employer.

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