Panda Express Salary: Hourly Pay, Salary Chart and Benefits 2026 

Panda Express pays $15 to $28 per hour for restaurant roles, depending on position and state, with the national average landing around 16.72–17.32 per hour ($34,775 a year), according to ZipRecruiter and Indeed. Management roles range from $40,000 for entry-level team positions to over $230,000 for regional operations leaders, per Panda’s official careers site.

Anyone considering a job at Panda Express wants a straight answer: how much will the paycheck actually be? The company’s pay structure is more layered than a single number can capture, spanning hourly cooks and cashiers, shift leads, restaurant managers, and a corporate ladder that stretches all the way to regional director. Location matters too  a cashier in California can out-earn one in Texas by several dollars an hour thanks to state minimum wage laws.

How Much Does Panda Express Pay Per Hour?

Panda Express pays between $15 and $28 per hour, depending on the role. Cashiers and counter staff typically start at 15.50–21/hour, cooks earn 17–24.50/hour, shift leads make 17.75–24.25/hour, and assistant managers earn 22–33/hour, according to Breakroom’s 2026 pay survey of Panda Express employees.

• Front of house team member: 15.08–21.00/hour
• Cashier: 15.50–20.13/hour
• Kitchen helper: 16.89–22.00/hour
• Cook: $17.41/hour average (Indeed); up to $24.50/hour (Breakroom)
• Shift lead: 17.75–24.25/hour
• Chef: 17.98–28.75/hour
• Assistant manager: 22.00–33.00/hour

What Does the Panda Express Salary Chart Look Like by Position?

What Is the Panda Express Average Pay?

The average Panda Express salary is $34,775 per year, or about $16.72 an hour, according to ZipRecruiter’s September 2026 data. Indeed reports a slightly higher average of $17.32/hour for kitchen team members specifically  14% above the national fast-food average. Most employees earn between $30,000 and $38,000 annually, with top earners at the 90th percentile reaching $43,000.

How Much More Does Panda Express Pay in California?

California locations pay noticeably more due to the state’s Fast Food Minimum Wage Act. Team Members in California earn an average of $19.08 an hour  37% above the national average, per Indeed. High-cost California cities push wages even higher:

• Corcoran, CA: $26.65/hour average
• Scotts Valley, CA: $21.64/hour average
• Wasco, CA: $21.46/hour average

What Do Panda Express Managers and Corporate Leaders Earn?

Panda Express publishes an official total compensation ladder on its careers site, combining base pay, bonus, and benefits value:

These figures include benefits such as insurance, 401(k), and paid time off  company cars are added for Multi-Unit Manager roles and above.

Does Panda Express Pay Weekly or Biweekly?

Panda Express employees are paid hourly, according to Breakroom’s employee survey, with pay processed on a recurring schedule typical of large restaurant chains. If you’re weighing an offer, confirm the exact pay date and deposit schedule with your specific location during onboarding, since payroll timing can vary slightly by state and franchise owner.

How Does Panda Express Pay Compare to Other Fast-Food Chains?

Panda Express holds its own against major players, though chains like In-N-Out and Costco tend to start hourly workers slightly higher.

What Benefits Come With a Panda Express Paycheck?

Beyond hourly wages, Panda Express offers:

• Paid time off (varies by role and tenure)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Educational/tuition assistance
• A 20% employee discount, per Breakroom’s survey
• Company vehicle (Multi-Unit Manager roles and above)

Note that Breakroom’s survey found paid sick leave is uncommon for most hourly workers, and paid breaks aren’t guaranteed at every location.

How Can You Increase Your Panda Express Salary?

• Move into a cook or chef role  these positions pay 2–7/hour more than front-of-house work.
• Pursue a shift lead or assistant manager promotion, which roughly doubles hourly pay.
• Work in a high-cost state like California, where wages run 30%+ above the national average.
• Use Panda’s internal training programs to move toward management, where total compensation jumps into six figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting pay at Panda Express?
Starting pay typically falls between $15.08 and $16.89 per hour for entry-level front-of-house and kitchen helper roles, according to Breakroom. California locations start higher, often above $19/hour, due to state minimum wage requirements for fast-food chains.

How much does a Panda Express cashier make?
Cashiers earn between $15.50 and $20.13 per hour, according to Breakroom’s 2026 employee pay survey. Actual pay depends on location, with higher-cost states and cities pushing wages toward the top of that range.

How much do Panda Express cooks make?
Cooks earn $17.41 per hour on average, per Indeed, with a broader range of 17–24.50/hour reported by Breakroom. Pay varies based on location and years of experience in the kitchen.

How much does a Panda Express General Manager make?
General Managers earn $107,000 in total annual compensation, according to Panda Express’s official careers page, which includes base pay, bonus, and benefits. Indeed separately reports an hourly restaurant manager rate of $28.61.

Does Panda Express pay more in California?
Yes. California Team Members earn an average of $19.08 per hour, 37% above the national average, according to Indeed. This reflects the state’s Fast Food Minimum Wage Act, which sets a higher wage floor for large chains.

What is the average Panda Express salary?
The average Panda Express salary is $34,775 per year, or roughly $16.72 an hour, according to ZipRecruiter’s September 2026 data. Indeed reports a slightly higher average of $17.32/hour specifically for kitchen team members.

Does Panda Express offer paid sick leave?
Most Panda Express employees do not receive paid sick leave, according to Breakroom’s employee survey. Paid breaks are also inconsistent, with only some employees reporting they receive them.

How much does a Panda Express Assistant Manager make?
Assistant Managers earn $22.00 to $33.00 per hour, according to Breakroom, or $77,000 in total annual compensation including benefits and bonus, per Panda Express’s official careers page.

How does Panda Express pay compare to In-N-Out or Costco?
Panda Express’s pay range (15.08–28.75/hour) is broadly competitive but starts lower than In-N-Out (18–23.98/hour) and Costco (20–24/hour), according to Breakroom’s fast-food pay comparison data.

What employee discount does Panda Express offer?
Panda Express employees report receiving a 20% discount on food purchases, according to Breakroom’s 2026 employee survey.