How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make?
The median pay for Fast Food and Counter Workers in the United States is $31,200 per year — about $15.00 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $22,840, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $42,650.
That is $30,190 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary range by percentile
Half of all Fast Food and Counter Workers earn between $27,700 and $36,070 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,840 | $10.98 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $27,700 | $13.32 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $31,200 | $15.00 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $36,070 | $17.34 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,650 | $20.50 |
Highest-paying states for Fast Food and Counter Workers
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. California leads the country for Fast Food and Counter Workers pay at $42,280 a year, followed by Washington ($37,710) and District of Columbia ($37,430). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $22,610 — a gap of $19,670 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $42,280 | $20.33 | +36% |
| 2 | Washington | $37,710 | $18.13 | +21% |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $37,430 | $18.00 | +20% |
| 4 | Colorado | $36,270 | $17.44 | +16% |
| 5 | Vermont | $36,030 | $17.32 | +15% |
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 3,854,000 people work as Fast Food and Counter Workers in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $32,150 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: no college degree is required — most training happens on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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Related salaries
Other food service roles with similar pay.