Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in Washington (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$37,710
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+21% vs US median
US median $31,200
State Rank
#2 of 51
94,710 employed here

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

Fast Food and Counter Workers working in Washington earn a median salary of $37,710 per year, or about $18.13 per hour. That is 21% above the national median of $31,200 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $35,050 while the top 10% make $47,860 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,880 and $44,240 a year.

Fast Food and Counter Workers salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,050$16.85
25th percentile (early career)$35,880$17.25
50th percentile (median)$37,710$18.13
75th percentile (experienced)$44,240$21.27
90th percentile (top earners)$47,860$23.01

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 2nd 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($37,710) 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 Washington?
The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Washington is $37,710 per year, or about $18.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,050 at the entry level to $47,860 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Fast Food and Counter Workers about 21% more than the national median of $31,200. Washington ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $37,710 a year. About 94,710 Fast Food and Counter Workers are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.