California Median
$42,280
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.33
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+36% vs US median
US median $31,200
State Rank
#1 of 51
449,840 employed here
How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make in California?
Fast Food and Counter Workers in California take home a median of $42,280 annually — roughly $20.33 an hour — which runs 36% above the national median of $31,200.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $35,530 while the top 10% make $47,950 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,790 and $44,970 a year.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,530 | $17.08 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,790 | $17.69 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $42,280 | $20.33 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $44,970 | $21.62 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,950 | $23.05 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories for Fast Food and Counter Workers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in other states
Washington $37,710District of Columbia $37,430Colorado $36,270Vermont $36,030Massachusetts $35,850Connecticut $35,380Hawaii $35,250New York $35,250Oregon $35,050Maine $34,710Arizona $34,230New Jersey $34,150Illinois $33,910Maryland $33,660Alaska $33,280Nevada $31,950New Hampshire $31,590Rhode Island $31,490Minnesota $31,370Delaware $31,300Missouri $30,390Virginia $30,110North Dakota $30,080South Dakota $29,490Montana $29,090Florida $29,080Nebraska $29,000Idaho $28,940Michigan $28,930Indiana $28,790New Mexico $28,700Utah $28,670Wisconsin $28,600North Carolina $28,570Pennsylvania $28,570Ohio $28,430Iowa $28,390Wyoming $27,860Texas $27,740Kansas $27,580South Carolina $27,520Tennessee $27,470Kentucky $27,130Georgia $26,920Arkansas $26,250West Virginia $26,070Alabama $23,700Oklahoma $23,430Louisiana $22,800Mississippi $22,610
Working as Fast Food and Counter Workers in California
Nationally, about 3,854,000 people work as Fast Food and Counter Workers in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($42,280) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make in California?
The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in California is $42,280 per year, or about $20.33 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,530 at the entry level to $47,950 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Fast Food and Counter Workers about 36% more than the national median of $31,200. California ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $42,280 a year. About 449,840 Fast Food and Counter Workers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Fast Food and Counter Workers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.