Many individuals, especially those entering the workforce for the first time, consider fast food restaurants as a starting point for their careers. The reasons are clear: fast food chains are almost always hiring, they typically don’t require prior experience for entry-level positions, and they sometimes even offer opportunities to younger teens.
However, just because a fast food restaurant is hiring doesn’t automatically mean they offer competitive wages. If you’re aiming to maximize your earnings in the fast food industry, the question naturally arises: which fast food restaurant pays the most?
Let’s delve into the world of fast food wages and explore which chains offer the most lucrative opportunities for entry-level employees.
Which Restaurants Pay the Most?
Answering the question of “which restaurants pay the most?” isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Several factors complicate a direct comparison.
Firstly, the franchise model prevalent in the fast food industry means that pay rates can vary significantly from state to state and even between different franchises of the same chain. Local market conditions and cost of living play a crucial role in determining wages.
Secondly, fast food restaurants have a range of different job positions. While comparing a manager’s salary to a crew member’s wage is obviously not useful, even comparing seemingly similar entry-level roles can be nuanced. Job titles and responsibilities can differ slightly across chains.
Thirdly, to provide a meaningful comparison and identify the best fast food jobs for pay, we will focus on entry-level positions within major fast food chains. These roles are the most common starting points and therefore the most relevant for those seeking initial employment in the industry.
Finally, we will rely on nationwide average pay data to ensure a fair comparison. Comparing wages based on state-specific averages could skew the results and not provide a clear national picture.
With these considerations in mind, let’s explore which fast food restaurants stand out for offering the highest hourly pay for entry-level positions.
Which Restaurants Pay the Most Hourly for an Entry-level Job?
Based on recent data and employee reported salaries, here’s a comparison of the average entry-level hourly pay at some of the most popular fast food chains:
- Burger King: $9.86 per hour.
- Subway: $11.52 per hour.
- McDonald’s: $12.33 per hour.
- Wendy’s: $12.38 per hour.
- Dunkin’ Donuts: $12.54 per hour.
- Chick-fil-A: $12.92 per hour.
- Chipotle: $14.74 per hour.
Note: These averages represent the most common entry-level positions at each respective restaurant and are based on national averages.
The data reveals that for most major fast food restaurants, average hourly wages for entry-level roles hover between $12 and $13 per hour. Restaurants like Burger King tend to fall slightly below this range, while Chipotle notably exceeds it.
Chipotle emerges as the highest paying fast food restaurant when considering average entry-level hourly wages across the nation.
It’s crucial to remember that these figures are national averages derived from numerous employee reviews and reports. Regional pay variations exist, and these figures are intended to provide a general comparative overview across the United States.
Let’s further break down these average hourly rates to understand the potential daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly earnings at these fast food establishments.
DISCLAIMER:
The following calculations are estimations based on the provided hourly averages. We assume a standard 260 working days per year (52 weeks, 5 days a week) for simplicity. Holidays and paid time off are not included as these vary widely between companies and franchises.
Additionally, these figures represent gross earnings before deductions. For net (take-home) pay calculations, consider using a take-home pay calculator to account for taxes and other withholdings.
Average Annual Salary for Entry-Level Fast Food Jobs
Let’s translate the national average hourly wages into estimated daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and yearly earnings for entry-level employees at these fast food chains.
Burger King
With an average hourly wage of $9.86, working at Burger King at an entry-level position could potentially earn you:
- Daily: $78.88
- Weekly: $394
- Bi-weekly: $789
- Monthly: $1,709
- Yearly: $20,509
These figures position Burger King as one of the lower-paying employers within the fast food sector, and generally on the lower end of the restaurant pay scale.
Subway
Subway’s average hourly wage of approximately $11.52 translates to:
- Daily: $92.16
- Weekly: $461
- Bi-weekly: $922
- Monthly: $1,997
- Yearly: $23,962
While Subway offers slightly better pay than Burger King, it still ranks towards the lower end compared to other major fast food chains.
McDonald’s
The fast food giant, McDonald’s, offers an average entry-level hourly pay of $12.33, which equates to:
- Daily: $98.64
- Weekly: $493
- Bi-weekly: $986
- Monthly: $2,137
- Yearly: $25,646
Despite being a global brand, McDonald’s average entry-level pay places it in the mid-range of fast food wages nationally.
Wendy’s
Entry-level positions at Wendy’s come with an average hourly wage of $12.38, resulting in:
- Daily: $99.04
- Weekly: $495
- Bi-weekly: $990
- Monthly: $2,146
- Yearly: $25,750
Wendy’s entry-level pay is very similar to McDonald’s, placing it in the middle tier of fast food restaurant compensation.
Dunkin’ Donuts
Dunkin’ Donuts offers an average hourly salary of $12.54 for entry-level roles, which translates to:
- Daily: $100.32
- Weekly: $502
- Bi-weekly: $1,003
- Monthly: $2,174
- Yearly: $26,083
Dunkin’ Donuts provides slightly better compensation than McDonald’s and Wendy’s, moving it slightly higher in the rankings.
Chick-fil-A
Starting employees at Chick-fil-A can expect to earn around $12.92 per hour on average, which breaks down to:
- Daily: $103.36
- Weekly: $517
- Bi-weekly: $1,034
- Monthly: $2,239
- Yearly: $26,874
Chick-fil-A consistently pays above the average for fast food entry-level positions, making it a more attractive option for wage-conscious job seekers.
Chipotle
When considering which fast food restaurant provides the highest pay, Chipotle clearly leads the way with an average hourly wage of $14.74. This impressive rate translates to:
- Daily: $117.92
- Weekly: $590
- Bi-weekly: $1,179
- Monthly: $2,555
- Yearly: $30,659
Chipotle’s significantly higher average hourly wage solidifies its position as the highest paying fast food restaurant for entry-level positions.
Highest Paying Jobs in a Restaurant Setting
In a traditional full-service restaurant, the executive chef typically commands the highest salary. However, the hierarchy and job roles are structured differently in fast food environments. Positions like executive chef, sommelier, or sous chef are not part of the standard fast food restaurant model.
Within a fast food restaurant, the highest paying roles are generally found in management and administration. While upward mobility is possible, reaching these higher-paying positions often requires experience and isn’t always a quick progression from entry-level roles.
What Are Some of the Highest-Paying Fast Food Job Titles?
Pay discrepancies can be significant even within the same fast food chain, depending on the specific position. For example, consider the average hourly pay for General Managers at some of these restaurants:
- Burger King: $15.87 per hour.
- Wendy’s: $18.48 per hour.
- Subway: $15.73 per hour.
- Chipotle: $29 per hour.
Interestingly, even comparing regional manager roles, the trend continues. A Subway regional manager’s average pay (around $24 per hour) is still less than a General Manager’s pay at Chipotle, highlighting Chipotle’s commitment to higher wages across the board.
Ultimately, your earnings potential in fast food depends not only on the chain you work for and the state you’re in, but also significantly on the specific job position you hold.
Which Fast Food Restaurants Offer the Best Employee Benefits?
Beyond just high-paying fast food jobs, employee benefits are a crucial consideration for many job seekers. However, comparing benefits across the fast food industry is complex.
Benefit availability often varies widely, not just between chains but also between franchises and even different positions within the same franchise. While a chain might advertise comprehensive health insurance or retirement plans, these benefits may be exclusive to managerial or salaried positions, not entry-level crew members.
Once again, Chipotle distinguishes itself by offering a more inclusive benefits package compared to many competitors. Their benefits program typically includes:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Various bonus opportunities (daily, performance-based, quarterly, and annual)
- Employee discounts
- One free meal per shift
- Paid time off (accrued after a year of employment)
- 401(k) retirement savings plan
- Tuition assistance programs (for eligible students)
These benefits are generally available to a wider range of employees, not just management.
While Chipotle’s maternity leave policy is reportedly more limited for hourly employees compared to salaried staff, this is a common practice across the fast food industry. Comprehensive and inclusive maternity leave packages are not yet widespread in this sector.
Minimum Age to Work at a Fast Food Restaurant
The minimum age requirement to work at a fast food restaurant is largely determined by state and federal labor laws, as well as individual restaurant policies. While some states, like Montana, may allow 14-year-olds to work in certain industries with restrictions, this is not the norm nationwide.
The majority of fast food restaurants typically hire employees who are at least 16 years old. Even at this age, some restaurants may require a parental permit or adherence to specific working hour limitations for minors.
While some restaurants might legally pay minors a lower minimum wage in certain areas, most fast food chains tend to pay the standard entry-level hourly wage regardless of age for similar entry-level roles. However, it’s important to note that even in the Highest Paying Fast Food Jobs, minors are likely to earn less overall than adult coworkers due to restrictions on working hours and job responsibilities.
Two primary factors contribute to lower earning potential for minors in fast food:
- Limited Working Hours: Labor laws often restrict the number of hours minors can work per day and per week, sometimes limiting shifts to as short as three hours on school days. This directly impacts weekly, monthly, and annual earnings, even if the hourly wage is the same.
- Job Role Restrictions: Minors are generally prohibited from holding managerial positions and are often restricted from tasks or positions deemed potentially hazardous. This limits their access to higher-paying roles within the restaurant.
These restrictions explain why, despite potentially earning the same hourly wage for entry-level work, minors will typically earn less in total compared to adult employees in fast food.
What Are the Best Fast Food Restaurants to Work At?
When evaluating job opportunities, hourly pay is a significant factor, but it’s not the only one. Job seekers should also consider employee benefits, work environment, company culture, and opportunities for advancement. Unfortunately, these qualitative factors can vary greatly depending on local management, team dynamics, and franchise owner practices.
Therefore, definitively naming “the best” fast food restaurants to work at is challenging and inherently subjective. While national averages for pay and benefits provide a useful overview, the actual employee experience can differ significantly from one location to another.
Objectively, Chipotle stands out for its higher average pay and more comprehensive benefits, suggesting it could be considered a “better” employer in terms of compensation and benefits packages. However, this doesn’t guarantee a universally positive work experience at every Chipotle location.
Beyond Chipotle, Chick-fil-A and Dunkin’ Donuts are also often recognized for offering above-average wages, decent benefits, and slightly higher employee satisfaction ratings compared to the industry average. However, it’s crucial to remember that employee reviews are subjective and may not always reflect the reality of working at a specific franchise location.
Which Sit-Down Restaurants Pay the Most?
Sit-down restaurants, often categorized as full-service dining establishments, encompass a broad range of formats, including fine dining, casual dining, family-style restaurants, and contemporary casual eateries.
It’s a common misconception that sit-down restaurants automatically pay more than fast food. While there may be more opportunities for upward mobility and higher-paying specialized roles in sit-down restaurants, entry-level pay can be surprisingly comparable to fast food.
Starting positions like dishwasher in sit-down restaurants often pay between $8 and $11 per hour, which is within the same range as entry-level fast food jobs. In fact, some of the highest paying fast food chains may even offer better starting wages than some sit-down restaurants.
However, some larger sit-down restaurant chains do offer slightly higher entry-level pay compared to the fast food average. For example, dishwasher positions at these chains may average:
- Outback Steakhouse: $13.99 per hour.
- Red Lobster: $13.82 per hour.
- Red Robin: $13.62 per hour.
- Longhorn Steakhouse: $15.05 per hour.
These averages are generally somewhat higher, and in some cases significantly higher, than typical fast food entry-level wages. These sit-down chains could be considered among the highest paying entry-level restaurant jobs outside of the fast food sector.
Among these sit-down chains, Longhorn Steakhouse appears to offer the highest average entry-level wages based on available data.
Wrap Up
With an average entry-level hourly pay of $14.74, Chipotle clearly leads the fast food industry in compensation. This is a significant deviation from the industry average of $11 to $13 per hour, making Chipotle a standout choice for those prioritizing high-paying fast food jobs.
While Chipotle’s benefits package may not always be superior in every aspect to its competitors, its inclusivity, offering benefits to a broader range of employees, is a notable advantage.
Determining the “best” employer is ultimately subjective and depends on individual priorities and the specific franchise location. Employee experiences can vary widely even within the same chain.
Ultimately, the “highest paying” restaurant depends on what you are comparing. Entry-level positions will have different top payers than managerial roles.
However, when considering overall compensation across various roles, fast food chains that prioritize higher pay for entry-level staff often also tend to offer more competitive salaries for management positions as well.
FAQ
Do sit-down restaurants pay their staff more? While entry-level pay may be slightly higher in some sit-down restaurants, the difference isn’t always significant. Higher earning potential in sit-down restaurants often comes from specialized kitchen roles like sous chefs and executive chefs.
How old do you have to be to work at a fast food restaurant? The minimum age is generally 16 years old. While some states may permit younger workers (14 years old) with restrictions, most fast food franchises prefer to hire employees aged 16 and older.
Which fast food restaurant pays the most? Chipotle currently holds the reputation for offering the highest average hourly pay for entry-level positions. The average hourly wage for a restaurant staff member (a common entry-level role) is approximately $14.74 per hour.
