Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$28,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.74
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $31,200
State Rank
#36 of 51
142,220 employed here

How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make in Pennsylvania?

Fast Food and Counter Workers working in Pennsylvania earn a median salary of $28,570 per year, or about $13.74 per hour. That is 8% below the national median of $31,200 for this occupation.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $22,030 while the top 10% make $35,880 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $24,440 and $32,310 a year.

Fast Food and Counter Workers salary range in Pennsylvania

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$22,030$10.59
25th percentile (early career)$24,440$11.75
50th percentile (median)$28,570$13.74
75th percentile (experienced)$32,310$15.53
90th percentile (top earners)$35,880$17.25

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 36th 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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania pay ($28,570) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Pennsylvania is $28,570 per year, or about $13.74 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,030 at the entry level to $35,880 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Fast Food and Counter Workers about 8% less than the national median of $31,200. Pennsylvania ranks 36th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $28,570 a year. About 142,220 Fast Food and Counter Workers are employed in Pennsylvania. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Fast Food and Counter Workers salary report

Related salaries

Bartender

$34,340
median pay · 756,000 employed

Cook, Fast Food

$30,890
median pay · 641,000 employed

Waiters and Waitresses

$35,230
median pay · 2,271,000 employed

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

$37,450
median pay · 441,000 employed

Food Server, Nonrestaurant

$35,360
median pay · 294,000 employed

Cook, Short Order

$35,880
median pay · 139,000 employed
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.