Highest Paying Fast Food Jobs

If you enjoy working with food and people, the fast food industry could be the place to start. Not only do these jobs allow you to work on your transferable skills where you gain knowledge of customer relations, cash handling and working under pressure, but you can actually make a decent salary depending on the company and position.

Knowing which jobs offer the highest salaries in this industry can help you narrow down your job search. In this article, we explain reasons to work in the fast-food industry, list the highest-paying fast-food jobs and provide descriptions for common fast-food jobs.

Related: How To Write a Fast-Food Resume

Why should you work in the fast-food industry?

Working in the fast-food industry comes with several benefits. Not only is there a wide variety of food with locations abound, but it is an excellent place for practicing soft skills. Plus, you are more likely to have a flexible schedule, whether you work part- or full-time hours, mornings or evenings.

Related: Soft Skills: Definitions and Examples

Highest paid fast-food jobs

While there may be some commonalities to expect working across the fast food industry—counter work, drive thru and food preparation—some offer better opportunities than others. Here are 10 fast-food restaurants and their highest-paying positions. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the salary link by 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

Related: Learn About Being a Cook

2. In-N-Out Burger

At In-N-Out Burger, you can expect a team-friendly environment and a variety of flexible shifts. The restaurant also allows you to advance through different employment levels. In-N-Out burger also starts employees above minimum wage and gives small raises when new duties are learned.

• Manager: $41,792 per year

• Cook: $20,568 per year

3. Wendy's

Wendy's employees receive one-on-one training and have the ability to work in every area of the business. If you're interested in working for this fast-food chain, you can pursue a variety of career paths, including the following:

• General manager: $44,224 per year

• Crew member: $19,406 per year

4. Chick-fil-A

Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A offers many positions that typically involve preparing food, taking customer orders and serving restaurant guests. You can also expect Sundays off as a Chick-fil-A employee. Here are some positions you can pursue at this chain:

• Assistant general manager: $44,586 per year

• Kitchen team member: $24,981 per year

5. Arby's

Arby's offers employment to individuals with previous experience and familiarity with the restaurant. The chain also offers personal and professional growth programs for its employees to take advantage of. Here are some of its highest-paying positions:

• Restaurant manager: $44,828 per year

• Team member: $20,363 per year

6. Domino's

Domino's offers part- and full-time opportunities at its store locations. It also encourages employee growth through its variety of training and development programs. Here are some of its highest-paid 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 deciding on a fast-food position you want to pursue, consider the primary duties and responsibilities for each job. Understanding the position in detail can help you determine whether you can see yourself working in this capacity. Here are some common fast-food positions and their primary duties:

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.

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