The Best Paying Fast Food Jobs

If you enjoy working with food and people, the fast food industry could be a good place to get started. These positions not only help you to hone your transferable skills by learning about customer interactions, cash management, and working under pressure, but they can also pay well depending on the organization and position.

Knowing which occupations pay the greatest salaries in this industry will help you focus your job hunt. In this post, we explain why you should work in the fast-food industry, list the highest-paying fast-food positions, and describe some of the most common ones.

Why should you work in the fast-food industry?

Working in the fast-food industry provides various advantages. Not only is there a vast variety of cuisine available at numerous locations, but it is also a good area to practice soft skills. Furthermore, you are more likely to have a flexible schedule, whether you work part- or full-time, mornings or evenings.

Highest paid fast-food jobs

While there are some values to expect when working in the fast food industry, such as counter work, drive-thru, and food preparation, some prospects are greater than others. Here are the top 10 highest-paying jobs in fast-food restaurants. For the most recent Indeed salary information, click on the salary link next to each job title below:

1. Burger King

If you want to work at Burger King, you can expect to perform a variety of duties. While you may spend most of your time as a fast-food cashier, you may also act as a cook or take customer orders through the restaurant’s drive-thru windows. Your specific duties may depend on the day or the needs of the restaurant at the time. Here are some of this fast-food chain’s highest-paying positions:

• Restaurant manager: $39,457 per year
• Cook: $19,822 per year

2. In-N-Out Burger

In-N-Out Burger offers a team-friendly environment and a range of flexible shifts. The restaurant also allows you to rise through several job levels. In-N-Out Burger also starts employees over the minimum wage and gives minor raises as new responsibilities are learned.

• Manager: $41,792 per year
• Cook: $20,568 per year

3. Wendy’s

Wendy’s staff receive one-on-one training and can work in any department of the business. If you want to work for this fast food restaurant, you can pursue a variety of career routes, including the following:

• General manager: $44,224 per year
• Crew member: $19,406 per year

4. Chick-fil-A

Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A hires for a variety of occupations that typically include cooking food, receiving client orders, and serving restaurant customers. As a Chick-fil-A employee, you can expect to have Sundays off. Here are some positions that you can pursue in this chain:

• Assistant general manager: $44,586 per year
• Kitchen team member: $24,981 per year

5. Arby’s

Arby’s hires people that have past experience and are familiar with the restaurant. The chain also provides its employees with personal and professional development opportunities. Here are some of its most lucrative positions:

• Restaurant manager: $44,828 per year
• Team member: $20,363 per year

6. Domino’s

Domino’s stores provide both part-time and full-time employment options. It also promotes staff advancement with a variety of training and development initiatives. Here are some of its top-paying positions:

• General manager** $45,262 per year
• Delivery driver:** $29,682 per year

7. McDonald’s

McDonald’s provides many employment opportunities for interested individuals. Not only does it offer flexible scheduling, but you can also advance your career within the company over time. Here are some of their available positions:

• General manager:** $45,997 per year
• Fast-food attendant:** $21,050 per year

8. Taco Bell

Taco Bell has positions for people looking for entry-level or managerial employment opportunities. Some of its jobs include:

• General manager:** $46,476 per year
• Kitchen team member:** $21,819 per year

9. Popeyes

This multinational chain offers employees a fast-paced environment and flexible scheduling. Employees may also receive benefits like paid time off and employee discounts. You can find several employment opportunities at Popeyes, including:

• Restaurant manager:** $53,780 per year
• Cook: $20,509 per year

10. KFC

This fast-food chain offers a variety of sales, management, customer service, retail and food preparation and service positions. After a few months of working as a KFC employee, you have the opportunity to work at the store’s various stations. Here are some of its highest-paying positions:

• General manager:** $72,726 per year
• Cashier:** $19,843 per year

What do you do in a fast-food job?

Before choosing on a fast-food employment, think about the major roles and responsibilities for each. Understanding the position in depth might help you decide whether you can imagine yourself working in this role. Here are some typical fast-food positions and their key responsibilities:

Manager

Here are some primary duties of a fast-food manager:

• Manage the restaurant’s finances.
• Schedule each employee’s shifts.
• Oversee the food preparation process.
• Maintain food safety and standards.
• Hire and train employees.

You may not require a degree to pursue a fast-food management position, you will need a few years of experience working in fast food. Typically, fast-food managers work their way up from an entry-level position and apply for this managerial role once they’ve acquired enough skills and experience.

Cook

Cooks are the backbone of the kitchen and food preparation that keeps fast food going. Their duties include:

• Receive customer orders from cashiers.
• Prepare and cook food for customers.
• Safely handle all food.
• Operate large, single-purpose cooking equipment.
• Comply with health, safety and sanitary regulations.

As with many other fast-food positions, you receive on-the-job training to help with your new duties as a cook.

Delivery driver

Here are some of a delivery driver’s duties:

• Pick up food orders and transport them to the customer’s location
• Collect the payment for a customer order
• Provide quality customer service

To become a delivery driver for a fast-food restaurant, you need a valid driver’s license and clean driving record. Good driving knowledge of the area will be extremely helpful in making deliveries promptly.

Team member, crew member, attendant or cashier

Team members, crew members, attendants and cashiers have roughly the same duties, including:

• Greet customers.
• Take customer orders.
• Operate cash registers and receive payments from customers.
• Handle and process payments.
• Assemble, prepare and cook some menu items.

The role of a team member, crew member, attendant or cashier doesn’t require a particular educational background or level of experience. Though you’ll have a variety of duties upon employment, you’ll receive training to help you perform your job successfully.