Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Fast Food and Counter Workers in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$37,430
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $31,200
State Rank
#3 of 51
5,500 employed here

How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make in District of Columbia?

Fast Food and Counter Workers in District of Columbia take home a median of $37,430 annually — roughly $18.00 an hour — which runs 20% above the national median of $31,200.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $37,260 while the top 10% make $46,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,340 and $39,050 a year.

Fast Food and Counter Workers salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,260$17.91
25th percentile (early career)$37,340$17.95
50th percentile (median)$37,430$18.00
75th percentile (experienced)$39,050$18.77
90th percentile (top earners)$46,800$22.50

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories for Fast Food and Counter Workers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$42,280
2Washington$37,710
3District of Columbia$37,430
4Colorado$36,270
5Vermont$36,030

Working as Fast Food and Counter Workers in District of Columbia

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 District of Columbia pay ($37,430) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in District of Columbia is $37,430 per year, or about $18.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,260 at the entry level to $46,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Fast Food and Counter Workers about 20% more than the national median of $31,200. District of Columbia ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $37,430 a year. About 5,500 Fast Food and Counter Workers are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), 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.