35 Series · SOC 35-3023

Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

Compiled by WageDex Editorial, Occupational Wages Editorial Team

$31,200
Median / year: $42,650
Top 10% earn: +6.1%
Growth '23–'33: 3,854,050
US workers

Fast Food and Counter Workers earn a median of $31,200 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $31,200, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $22,840 (10th percentile) to $42,650 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 3,854,050 US workers. California pays the most ($42,280), since pay varies by state and metro area.

35 Series Updated: May 2025 · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →

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The pay verdict

Fast Food and Counter Workers earn a median of $31,200, putting them among the lower-paid US occupations and higher than 0% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Food Preparation and Serving Related, it ranks #15 of 17 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 6.1% by 2033.

$31,200
Median annual wage: Top 100%
of 825 US occupations with published wages: #15 of 17
in Food Preparation and Serving Related: 1.9×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: California at $42,280. Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.

Fast Food and Counter Workers (SOC 35-3023) pays a national median of $31,200 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $22,840 at the 10th percentile to $42,650 at the 90th, with a mean of $32,150 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 3,854,050 Americans work in this occupation across 54 reporting states and 528 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a +6.1% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as faster than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 904,300 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is No formal educational credential and short-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of A for this role, with a fatality rate of 0.6 per 100,000 and injury rate of 2.4 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. California pays the highest state median at $42,280, which is +36% above the national figure. The top metro is Napa, CA at $45,410 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 3,854,050 jobs Median $31,200/yr

Median Salary

$31,200

per year

Median Hourly

$15.00/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$32,150

average

Employment

3,854,050

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Fast Food and Counter Workers pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$31,200 Bottom 1% higher than 0% of 825 US occupations

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 35-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Fast Food and Counter Workers; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 17 35-series occupations with growth data, Fast Food and Counter Workers sits on the faster-growing side at +6.1% growth and $31,200 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

+6.1%

Faster than average

Annual Openings

904,300

per year (projected)

Typical Education

No formal educational credential

On-the-Job Training

Short-term on-the-job training

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →

Very Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

0.6/100K

Injury Rate

2.4/100

Danger Index

9.9/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Fast Food and Counter Workers roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Active Listening 3.5

Speaking 3.4

Service Orientation 3.4

Social Perceptiveness 3.1

Reading Comprehension 3.0

Monitoring 3.0

Coordination 3.0

Critical Thinking 2.9

Persuasion 2.8

Operation and Control 2.8

Knowledge Areas

Customer and Personal Service 4.2

English Language 3.3

Sales and Marketing 3.0

Food Production 2.8

Administration and Management 2.5

Mathematics 2.5

Computers and Electronics 2.4

Personnel and Human Resources 2.3

Communications and Media 2.3

Public Safety and Security 2.1

Key Tasks

▸ Receive and process customer payments.
▸ Prepare or serve hot or cold beverages, such as coffee, espresso drinks, blended coffees, or teas.
▸ Take customer orders and convey them to other employees for preparation.
▸ Clean or sanitize work areas, utensils, or equipment.
▸ Accept payment from customers, and make change as necessary.
▸ Serve customers in eating places that specialize in fast service and inexpensive carry-out food.
▸ Perform personnel activities, such as supervising and training employees.
▸ Request and record customer orders, and compute bills, using cash registers, multi-counting machines, or pencil and paper.
▸ Describe menu items to customers, or suggest products that might appeal to them.
▸ Clean service or seating areas.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$22,840

25th Percentile

$27,700

Median

$31,200

75th Percentile

$36,070

90th Percentile

$42,650

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

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

Lowest Paying States

50. Guam $20,770 51. Puerto Rico $22,030 52. Mississippi $22,610 53. Louisiana $22,800 54. Oklahoma $23,430

View all 54 states →

#	State	Median Salary	Mean Salary	Employment	vs National
1	California	$42,280	$41,680	449,840	+36% above national
2	Washington	$37,710	$40,390	94,710	+21% above national
3	District of Columbia	$37,430	$39,840	5,500	+20% above national
4	Colorado	$36,270	$36,890	82,010	+16% above national
5	Vermont	$36,030	$37,610	6,830	+15% above national
6	Massachusetts	$35,850	$35,880	85,810	+15% above national
7	Connecticut	$35,380	$36,330	35,720	+13% above national
8	Hawaii	$35,250	$35,810	24,130	+13% above national
9	New York	$35,250	$36,920	168,620	+13% above national
10	Oregon	$35,050	$36,200	59,920	+12% above national
11	Maine	$34,710	$35,880	17,250	+11% above national
12	Arizona	$34,230	$35,090	77,210	+10% above national
13	New Jersey	$34,150	$35,110	93,730	+9% above national
14	Illinois	$33,910	$34,280	127,590	+9% above national
15	Maryland	$33,660	$34,210	49,380	+8% above national
16	Alaska	$33,280	$34,500	5,900	+7% above national
17	Nevada	$31,950	$32,820	45,850	+2% above national
18	New Hampshire	$31,590	$32,120	14,540	+1% above national
19	Rhode Island	$31,490	$34,040	13,310	+1% above national
20	Minnesota	$31,370	$32,450	58,970	+1% above national
21	Delaware	$31,300	$33,650	13,310	same as national
22	Missouri	$30,390	$32,130	29,360	3% below national
23	Virginia	$30,110	$31,930	104,460	3% below national
24	North Dakota	$30,080	$31,260	11,470	4% below national
25	South Dakota	$29,490	$30,900	15,150	5% below national
26	Montana	$29,090	$30,120	14,960	7% below national
27	Florida	$29,080	$30,940	235,400	7% below national
28	Nebraska	$29,000	$30,910	30,060	7% below national
29	Idaho	$28,940	$28,630	25,810	7% below national
30	Michigan	$28,930	$30,260	103,130	7% below national
31	Indiana	$28,790	$28,980	97,290	8% below national
32	New Mexico	$28,700	$30,260	28,250	8% below national
33	Utah	$28,670	$29,100	52,340	8% below national
34	Wisconsin	$28,600	$29,110	67,750	8% below national
35	North Carolina	$28,570	$29,050	92,230	8% below national
36	Pennsylvania	$28,570	$28,930	142,220	8% below national
37	Ohio	$28,430	$28,900	163,560	9% below national
38	Iowa	$28,390	$28,940	40,290	9% below national
39	Wyoming	$27,860	$27,520	7,060	11% below national
40	Texas	$27,740	$27,750	460,530	11% below national
41	Kansas	$27,580	$27,190	47,140	12% below national
42	South Carolina	$27,520	$27,840	65,070	12% below national
43	Tennessee	$27,470	$27,870	90,690	12% below national
44	Kentucky	$27,130	$26,890	41,860	13% below national
45	Georgia	$26,920	$27,290	145,030	14% below national
46	Arkansas	$26,250	$26,890	35,660	16% below national
47	West Virginia	$26,070	$26,780	6,240	16% below national
48	Virgin Islands	$24,410	$25,310	840	22% below national
49	Alabama	$23,700	$25,600	41,460	24% below national
50	Oklahoma	$23,430	$25,050	52,520	25% below national
51	Louisiana	$22,800	$24,580	45,720	27% below national
52	Mississippi	$22,610	$23,880	31,220	28% below national
53	Puerto Rico	$22,030	$22,500	26,440	29% below national
54	Guam	$20,770	$21,310	1,130	33% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Napa, CA $45,410 2. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,570 3. Vallejo, CA $44,110 4. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $43,870 5. Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $43,610

Lowest Paying Metros

524. Southwest Louisiana nonmetropolitan area $21,520 525. Monroe, LA $21,550 526. Alexandria, LA $21,760 527. Northeast Louisiana nonmetropolitan area $21,810 528. Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area $21,820

View all 528 metro areas →

#	Metro Area	Median Salary	Employment	vs National
1	Napa, CA	$45,410	1,440	+46% above national
2	San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$44,570	23,060	+43% above national
3	Vallejo, CA	$44,110	4,430	+41% above national
4	San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$43,870	49,970	+41% above national
5	Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$43,610	4,720	+40% above national
6	Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$43,400	3,220	+39% above national
7	Salinas, CA	$43,260	4,180	+39% above national
8	Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$42,940	5,930	+38% above national
9	Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$42,860	24,910	+37% above national
10	Modesto, CA	$42,630	6,700	+37% above national
11	Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$42,370	9,520	+36% above national
12	San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$42,350	3,310	+36% above national
13	Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$42,280	51,310	+36% above national
14	San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$42,190	42,550	+35% above national
15	Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$42,110	160,270	+35% above national
16	Hanford-Corcoran, CA	$42,060	1,610	+35% above national
17	Yuba City, CA	$42,040	1,630	+35% above national
18	North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$41,910	2,470	+34% above national
19	Stockton-Lodi, CA	$41,740	7,560	+34% above national
20	North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$39,710	2,750	+27% above national
21	Fresno, CA	$39,480	12,330	+27% above national
22	Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$39,470	9,180	+27% above national
23	Redding, CA	$39,160	1,930	+26% above national
24	Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$39,150	49,190	+25% above national
25	El Centro, CA	$38,840	1,630	+24% above national
26	Visalia, CA	$38,600	4,850	+24% above national
27	Chico, CA	$38,210	2,630	+22% above national
28	Merced, CA	$38,200	2,500	+22% above national
29	Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$38,020	1,660	+22% above national
30	Kahului-Wailuku, HI	$37,840	2,590	+21% above national
31	Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$37,190	2,770	+19% above national
32	Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$37,080	3,180	+19% above national
33	Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$37,070	42,810	+19% above national
34	Bellingham, WA	$37,030	2,830	+19% above national
35	Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area	$36,930	3,230	+18% above national
36	Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	$36,890	1,580	+18% above national
37	Western Washington nonmetropolitan area	$36,820	4,490	+18% above national
38	Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area	$36,580	960	+17% above national
39	Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$36,550	8,660	+17% above national
40	Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA	$36,450	1,690	+17% above national
41	Kennewick-Richland, WA	$36,410	4,120	+17% above national
42	Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$36,290	60,130	+16% above national
43	Boulder, CO	$36,190	4,880	+16% above national
44	Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area	$36,140	4,280	+16% above national
45	Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$36,110	3,910	+16% above national
46	Barnstable Town, MA	$36,100	2,950	+16% above national
47	Longview-Kelso, WA	$36,020	1,440	+15% above national
48	Yakima, WA	$35,830	3,280	+15% above national
49	Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$35,780	7,870	+15% above national
50	Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$35,620	34,840	+14% above national
51	Bend, OR	$35,460	3,680	+14% above national
52	Kingston, NY	$35,460	1,440	+14% above national
53	New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$35,420	166,040	+14% above national
54	Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY	$35,320	6,280	+13% above national
55	Portland-South Portland, ME	$35,300	8,040	+13% above national
56	New Haven, CT	$35,290	5,900	+13% above national
57	Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area	$35,190	2,160	+13% above national
58	Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area	$35,150	1,850	+13% above national
59	Urban Honolulu, HI	$35,080	17,240	+12% above national
60	Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$35,030	12,370	+12% above national
61	Walla Walla, WA	$35,020	800	+12% above national
62	Grants Pass, OR	$34,900	1,240	+12% above national
63	Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$34,870	3,080	+12% above national
64	Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	$34,850	5,770	+12% above national
65	Waterbury-Shelton, CT	$34,850	3,860	+12% above national
66	Ithaca, NY	$34,800	870	+12% above national
67	Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT	$34,800	3,220	+12% above national
68	Lewiston-Auburn, ME	$34,720	1,490	+11% above national
69	Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$34,720	4,300	+11% above national
70	Pittsfield, MA	$34,680	1,470	+11% above national
71	Lewiston, ID-WA	$34,650	930	+11% above national
72	Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$34,630	97,280	+11% above national
73	Worcester, MA	$34,610	8,800	+11% above national
74	Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$34,600	60,560	+11% above national
75	Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY	$34,560	14,170	+11% above national
76	Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$34,540	54,900	+11% above national
77	Salem, OR	$34,520	5,880	+11% above national
78	Colorado Springs, CO	$34,420	11,470	+10% above national
79	Connecticut nonmetropolitan area	$34,390	1,610	+10% above national
80	Amherst Town-Northampton, MA	$34,350	2,080	+10% above national
81	Albany, OR	$34,330	1,470	+10% above national
82	Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area	$34,290	3,600	+10% above national
83	Bangor, ME	$34,140	2,550	+9% above national
84	Medford, OR	$34,140	3,210	+9% above national
85	Springfield, MA	$34,130	5,660	+9% above national
86	Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area	$34,090	1,540	+9% above national
87	Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	$34,060	7,190	+9% above national
88	Eugene-Springfield, OR	$33,990	6,220	+9% above national
89	Syracuse, NY	$33,940	6,750	+9% above national
90	Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area	$33,900	2,700	+9% above national
91	Glens Falls, NY	$33,890	980	+9% above national
92	Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$33,850	3,490	+8% above national
93	Naples-Marco Island, FL	$33,830	3,920	+8% above national
94	Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area	$33,830	4,220	+8% above national
95	Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	$33,700	21,530	+8% above national
96	Flagstaff, AZ	$33,690	2,790	+8% above national
97	Vineland, NJ	$33,550	1,800	+8% above national
98	Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area	$33,540	4,320	+8% above national
99	Rochester, NY	$33,430	11,310	+7% above national
100	Central East New York nonmetropolitan area	$33,420	3,630	+7% above national
101	Eastern and Southern Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$33,390	1,970	+7% above national
102	Corvallis, OR	$33,350	1,310	+7% above national
103	Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ	$33,350	2,080	+7% above national
104	Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area	$33,330	2,370	+7% above national
105	Anchorage, AK	$33,280	3,600	+7% above national
106	Binghamton, NY	$33,280	2,440	+7% above national
107	Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ	$33,270	5,510	+7% above national
108	Ann Arbor, MI	$33,220	4,800	+6% above national
109	Central Oregon nonmetropolitan area	$33,170	1,850	+6% above national
110	Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$33,090	21,090	+6% above national
111	Utica-Rome, NY	$33,080	2,260	+6% above national
112	Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$33,040	37,920	+6% above national
113	Greeley, CO	$33,030	3,670	+6% above national
114	Elmira, NY	$32,950	880	+6% above national
115	Alaska nonmetropolitan area	$32,680	1,490	+5% above national
116	Watertown-Fort Drum, NY	$32,580	1,150	+4% above national
117	Lexington Park, MD	$32,240	1,770	+3% above national
118	Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$32,220	69,080	+3% above national
119	Maryland nonmetropolitan area	$31,960	2,880	+2% above national
120	Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$31,950	36,150	+2% above national
121	Bozeman, MT	$31,840	1,870	+2% above national
122	Tucson, AZ	$31,690	9,980	+2% above national
123	Rockford, IL	$31,640	3,630	+1% above national
124	Arizona nonmetropolitan area	$31,600	2,630	+1% above national
125	Reno, NV	$31,530	6,900	+1% above national
126	Grand Junction, CO	$31,510	2,450	+1% above national
127	Springfield, IL	$31,350	1,760	same as national
128	Champaign-Urbana, IL	$31,300	2,890	same as national
129	St. Louis, MO-IL	$31,260	19,170	same as national
130	Kankakee, IL	$31,220	1,220	same as national
131	Bloomington, IL	$31,200	2,430	same as national
132	Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	$31,200	4,810	same as national
133	Decatur, IL	$31,200	970	same as national
134	Dover, DE	$31,200	2,090	same as national
135	Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV	$31,200	1,810	same as national
136	Peoria, IL	$31,200	3,260	same as national
137	Salisbury, MD	$31,200	1,590	same as national
138	Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area	$31,200	3,350	same as national
139	Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area	$31,200	2,730	same as national
140	West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area	$31,200	4,140	same as national
141	East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area	$31,200	4,590	same as national
142	South Illinois nonmetropolitan area	$31,200	3,560	same as national
143	Rochester, MN	$31,190	2,550	same as national
144	Manchester-Nashua, NH	$31,120	4,440	same as national
145	Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ	$31,100	1,960	same as national
146	Pueblo, CO	$31,100	2,160	same as national
147	East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area	$31,050	1,390	same as national
148	Fargo, ND-MN	$30,950	4,090	1% below national
149	Santa Fe, NM	$30,810	1,950	1% below national
150	Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ	$30,580	740	2% below national
151	Yuma, AZ	$30,580	1,800	2% below national
152	Missoula, MT	$30,510	2,160	2% below national
153	Southwestern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area	$30,470	950	2% below national
154	Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area	$30,410	2,390	3% below national
155	Northern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area	$30,260	1,870	3% below national
156	Fairbanks-College, AK	$30,170	800	3% below national
157	Charlottesville, VA	$30,150	2,800	3% below national
158	Coeur d'Alene, ID	$30,080	2,680	4% below national
159	Minot, ND	$30,080	1,400	4% below national
160	West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area	$30,070	1,760	4% below national
161	Carson City, NV	$30,010	670	4% below national
162	Mankato, MN	$30,000	1,860	4% below national
163	North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL	$30,000	8,330	4% below national
164	Springfield, MO	$29,950	2,560	4% below national
165	Bismarck, ND	$29,940	2,180	4% below national
166	South Florida nonmetropolitan area	$29,850	2,420	4% below national
167	Sioux Falls, SD-MN	$29,830	5,730	4% below national
168	Madison, WI	$29,820	9,180	4% below national
169	Cape Girardeau, MO-IL	$29,810	520	4% below national
170	Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area	$29,750	1,220	5% below national
171	Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$29,720	30,950	5% below national
172	St. Cloud, MN	$29,680	2,120	5% below national
173	Boise City, ID	$29,660	11,690	5% below national
174	Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area	$29,650	2,370	5% below national
175	Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	$29,600	56,900	5% below national
176	Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$29,590	42,430	5% below national
177	Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area	$29,590	4,220	5% below national
178	Jefferson City, MO	$29,580	520	5% below national
179	Kansas City, MO-KS	$29,560	20,120	5% below national
180	Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC	$29,550	2,440	5% below national
181	Grand Forks, ND-MN	$29,540	1,490	5% below national
182	Richmond, VA	$29,500	17,100	5% below national
183	Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area	$29,480	4,380	6% below national
184	Omaha, NE-IA	$29,450	15,580	6% below national
185	Rapid City, SD	$29,440	2,860	6% below national
186	St. Joseph, MO-KS	$29,430	640	6% below national
187	Columbia, MO	$29,390	1,410	6% below national
188	Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	$29,360	7,260	6% below national
189	Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX	$29,310	35,000	6% below national
190	Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA	$29,310	1,470	6% below national
191	Duluth, MN-WI	$29,260	2,910	6% below national
192	Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	$29,260	33,910	6% below national
193	Harrisonburg, VA	$29,240	2,590	6% below national
194	Ames, IA	$29,220	1,620	6% below national
195	Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL	$29,220	4,350	6% below national
196	Sheboygan, WI	$29,210	1,300	6% below national
197	North Florida nonmetropolitan area	$29,210	3,620	6% below national
198	Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	$29,170	5,350	7% below national
199	Grand Island, NE	$29,150	1,250	7% below national
200	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	$29,150	28,680	7% below national
201	Albuquerque, NM	$29,140	14,510	7% below national
202	Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	$29,140	10,060	7% below national
203	Billings, MT	$29,130	3,310	7% below national
204	Kokomo, IN	$29,130	1,540	7% below national
205	Port St. Lucie, FL	$29,130	4,690	7% below national
206	Punta Gorda, FL	$29,100	1,570	7% below national
207	Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	$29,090	9,110	7% below national
208	Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	$29,090	2,060	7% below national
209	Raleigh-Cary, NC	$29,080	12,790	7% below national
210	Northeast Nebraska nonmetropolitan area	$29,080	2,660	7% below national
211	Kenosha, WI	$29,070	2,120	7% below national
212	Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	$29,070	19,590	7% below national
213	Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	$29,040	28,400	7% below national
214	Appleton, WI	$29,010	3,150	7% below national
215	Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area	$28,980	790	7% below national
216	East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area	$28,950	4,480	7% below national
217	South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area	$28,930	4,510	7% below national
218	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$28,880	27,050	7% below national
219	Pocatello, ID	$28,870	1,380	7% below national
220	West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area	$28,870	1,990	7% below national
221	Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI	$28,850	2,740	8% below national
222	Asheville, NC	$28,810	3,850	8% below national
223	Twin Falls, ID	$28,810	1,760	8% below national
224	Wildwood-The Villages, FL	$28,810	930	8% below national
225	East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area	$28,800	1,400	8% below national
226	Kalamazoo-Portage, MI	$28,790	3,200	8% below national
227	Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	$28,780	22,520	8% below national
228	West Montana nonmetropolitan area	$28,780	2,580	8% below national
229	Iowa City, IA	$28,760	2,890	8% below national
230	Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area	$28,760	1,280	8% below national
231	Cleveland, OH	$28,750	28,010	8% below national
232	Joplin, MO-KS	$28,730	1,130	8% below national
233	Cheyenne, WY	$28,720	1,260	8% below national
234	Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL	$28,720	1,110	8% below national
235	Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area	$28,720	1,490	8% below national
236	Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT	$28,710	12,060	8% below national
237	Akron, OH	$28,690	9,480	8% below national
238	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	$28,690	15,540	8% below national
239	Dubuque, IA	$28,680	1,600	8% below national
240	Idaho Falls, ID	$28,680	2,610	8% below national
241	Columbus, OH	$28,670	31,590	8% below national
242	Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI	$28,670	2,170	8% below national
243	Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area	$28,670	1,160	8% below national
244	Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	$28,660	7,240	8% below national
245	Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	$28,660	7,630	8% below national
246	Midland, TX	$28,650	3,240	8% below national
247	Northern Michigan nonmetropolitan area	$28,650	3,060	8% below national
248	Green Bay, WI	$28,640	3,930	8% below national
249	Lansing-East Lansing, MI	$28,640	4,810	8% below national
250	Winston-Salem, NC	$28,640	4,900	8% below national
251	Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	$28,620	34,830	8% below national
252	Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	$28,610	1,960	8% below national
253	Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area	$28,600	1,530	8% below national
254	North Missouri nonmetropolitan area	$28,600	1,190	8% below national
255	Lancaster, PA	$28,580	6,870	8% below national
256	Traverse City, MI	$28,560	1,730	8% below national
257	Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area	$28,530	1,820	9% below national
258	Lincoln, NE	$28,510	5,950	9% below national
259	Charleston-North Charleston, SC	$28,500	10,850	9% below national
260	Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area	$28,500	2,530	9% below national
261	Midland, MI	$28,480	1,060	9% below national
262	Jacksonville, FL	$28,470	21,480	9% below national
263	Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area	$28,450	2,090	9% below national
264	Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	$28,440	17,490	9% below national
265	Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area	$28,440	6,470	9% below national
266	Odessa, TX	$28,390	2,960	9% below national
267	Wasatch Front Fringe Utah nonmetropolitan area	$28,390	2,100	9% below national
268	Fort Wayne, IN	$28,360	6,900	9% below national
269	Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	$28,360	6,970	9% below national
270	Winchester, VA-WV	$28,360	1,700	9% below national
271	Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area	$28,340	5,180	9% below national
272	Flint, MI	$28,330	4,800	9% below national
273	Helena, MT	$28,330	1,060	9% below national
274	Lawrence, KS	$28,320	2,880	9% below national
275	Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA	$28,300	2,230	9% below national
276	Elkhart-Goshen, IN	$28,300	2,710	9% below national
277	Columbus, IN	$28,290	1,440	9% below national
278	Janesville-Beloit, WI	$28,290	2,150	9% below national
279	Cedar Rapids, IA	$28,280	3,590	9% below national
280	Gainesville, FL	$28,280	4,780	9% below national
281	La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN	$28,280	1,960	9% below national
282	Saginaw, MI	$28,280	1,940	9% below national
283	St. George, UT	$28,270	3,460	9% below national
284	Michigan City-La Porte, IN	$28,250	1,520	9% below national
285	Pittsburgh, PA	$28,250	27,460	9% below national
286	Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI	$28,240	13,190	9% below national
287	Bloomington, IN	$28,230	2,390	10% below national
288	Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN	$28,230	4,260	10% below national
289	Lynchburg, VA	$28,220	3,280	10% below national
290	Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area	$28,220	2,230	10% below national
291	Great Falls, MT	$28,200	1,340	10% below national
292	Greensboro-High Point, NC	$28,200	6,790	10% below national
293	Lebanon, PA	$28,200	1,490	10% below national
294	Fond du Lac, WI	$28,180	1,350	10% below national
295	Fayetteville, NC	$28,170	3,130	10% below national
296	Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area	$28,160	2,100	10% below national
297	South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI	$28,140	4,240	10% below national
298	Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area	$28,140	6,060	10% below national
299	Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area	$28,120	3,220	10% below national
300	Battle Creek, MI	$28,100	1,500	10% below national
301	Reading, PA	$28,090	4,280	10% below national
302	Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area	$28,090	4,850	10% below national
303	South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area	$28,090	5,860	10% below national
304	Casper, WY	$28,070	1,110	10% below national
305	Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$28,070	128,380	10% below national
306	Eau Claire, WI	$28,070	2,370	10% below national
307	Goldsboro, NC	$28,070	760	10% below national
308	Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	$28,070	8,030	10% below national
309	Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area	$28,070	2,460	10% below national
310	Southside Virginia nonmetropolitan area	$28,070	3,120	10% below national
311	Bay City, MI	$28,060	1,380	10% below national
312	Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area	$28,060	950	10% below national
313	Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	$28,050	7,380	10% below national
314	Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL	$28,050	3,030	10% below national
315	Ogden, UT	$28,030	9,880	10% below national
316	Logan, UT-ID	$28,010	2,020	10% below national
317	Greenville, NC	$28,000	1,770	10% below national
318	Lexington-Fayette, KY	$27,990	5,500	10% below national
319	Monroe, MI	$27,950	1,330	10% below national
320	Evansville, IN	$27,930	4,470	10% below national
321	Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area	$27,930	2,190	10% below national
322	Southwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area	$27,930	3,280	10% below national
323	Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area	$27,930	1,530	10% below national
324	York-Hanover, PA	$27,920	5,240	11% below national
325	Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area	$27,900	2,200	11% below national
326	Ocala, FL	$27,880	3,340	11% below national
327	Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area	$27,870	5,170	11% below national
328	Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area	$27,860	5,200	11% below national
329	High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area	$27,860	3,450	11% below national
330	Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC	$27,850	12,280	11% below national
331	Wausau, WI	$27,830	1,440	11% below national
332	West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area	$27,830	7,520	11% below national
333	Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA	$27,820	2,500	11% below national
334	San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	$27,810	40,040	11% below national
335	Topeka, KS	$27,810	3,260	11% below national
336	Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area	$27,800	5,290	11% below national
337	Sebring, FL	$27,790	1,120	11% below national
338	State College, PA	$27,790	2,320	11% below national
339	Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$27,780	80,730	11% below national
340	Canton-Massillon, OH	$27,760	6,020	11% below national
341	Waco, TX	$27,750	5,100	11% below national
342	Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area	$27,750	2,940	11% below national
343	Niles, MI	$27,740	1,670	11% below national
344	Knoxville, TN	$27,720	12,730	11% below national
345	Roanoke, VA	$27,720	3,610	11% below national
346	Burlington, NC	$27,710	1,480	11% below national
347	North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous)	$27,700	7,770	11% below national
348	Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	$27,680	11,860	11% below national
349	Bowling Green, KY	$27,650	2,540	11% below national
350	Paducah, KY-IL	$27,640	1,160	11% below national
351	Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area	$27,640	3,760	11% below national
352	Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC	$27,600	5,200	12% below national
353	Tallahassee, FL	$27,600	5,600	12% below national
354	Gettysburg, PA	$27,590	920	12% below national
355	Sandusky, OH	$27,590	2,070	12% below national
356	Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	$27,580	2,930	12% below national
357	Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$27,570	105,810	12% below national
358	Toledo, OH	$27,570	9,280	12% below national
359	Las Cruces, NM	$27,560	2,870	12% below national
360	Muncie, IN	$27,560	2,120	12% below national
361	Chambersburg, PA	$27,550	1,580	12% below national
362	Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area	$27,540	1,650	12% below national
363	Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA	$27,520	6,450	12% below national
364	Memphis, TN-MS-AR	$27,490	15,320	12% below national
365	Springfield, OH	$27,490	1,990	12% below national
366	Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	$27,470	8,720	12% below national
367	Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area	$27,470	3,840	12% below national
368	Savannah, GA	$27,460	5,710	12% below national
369	Wilmington, NC	$27,460	5,100	12% below national
370	Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area	$27,460	4,900	12% below national
371	College Station-Bryan, TX	$27,420	5,270	12% below national
372	Farmington, NM	$27,420	1,730	12% below national
373	Wichita, KS	$27,420	11,580	12% below national
374	Williamsport, PA	$27,400	1,410	12% below national
375	Jackson, MI	$27,390	1,140	12% below national
376	Spartanburg, SC	$27,390	4,870	12% below national
377	Sherman-Denison, TX	$27,340	2,110	12% below national
378	Jacksonville, NC	$27,330	1,900	12% below national
379	Lima, OH	$27,320	1,830	12% below national
380	Elizabethtown, KY	$27,260	1,330	13% below national
381	Homosassa Springs, FL	$27,240	1,080	13% below national
382	Northeastern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area	$27,210	3,730	13% below national
383	Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC	$27,200	880	13% below national
384	Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area	$27,200	6,270	13% below national
385	Huntsville, AL	$27,180	5,030	13% below national
386	Columbia, SC	$27,170	11,640	13% below national
387	Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR	$27,170	8,370	13% below national
388	Chattanooga, TN-GA	$27,140	7,770	13% below national
389	Manhattan, KS	$27,130	2,190	13% below national
390	Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area	$27,100	3,080	13% below national
391	Birmingham, AL	$27,020	10,080	13% below national
392	Terre Haute, IN	$27,020	2,700	13% below national
393	Clarksville, TN-KY	$26,990	4,000	13% below national
394	Youngstown-Warren, OH	$26,950	6,460	14% below national
395	Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA	$26,890	4,170	14% below national
396	Rome, GA	$26,890	1,600	14% below national
397	Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area	$26,890	4,180	14% below national
398	Amarillo, TX	$26,880	4,820	14% below national
399	Rocky Mount, NC	$26,850	880	14% below national
400	North Georgia nonmetropolitan area	$26,850	7,370	14% below national
401	Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH	$26,820	740	14% below national
402	Mansfield, OH	$26,790	1,610	14% below national
403	Brunswick-St. Simons, GA	$26,770	1,620	14% below national
404	Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area	$26,770	5,180	14% below national
405	Owensboro, KY	$26,750	1,080	14% below national
406	Longview, TX	$26,730	4,220	14% below national
407	Gainesville, GA	$26,690	2,910	14% below national
408	Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX	$26,630	5,050	15% below national
409	Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC	$26,620	8,710	15% below national
410	Warner Robins, GA	$26,610	3,650	15% below national
411	Erie, PA	$26,540	3,510	15% below national
412	Killeen-Temple, TX	$26,530	7,120	15% below national
413	Morristown, TN	$26,530	1,590	15% below national
414	North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area	$26,500	4,060	15% below national
415	East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area	$26,500	4,930	15% below national
416	Tulsa, OK	$26,460	12,760	15% below national
417	Tyler, TX	$26,370	4,260	15% below national
418	Jackson, TN	$26,360	2,370	16% below national
419	Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area	$26,340	3,520	16% below national
420	Abilene, TX	$26,310	2,930	16% below national
421	Johnson City, TN	$26,270	2,900	16% below national
422	Jonesboro, AR	$26,260	1,900	16% below national
423	Kansas nonmetropolitan area	$26,220	12,330	16% below national
424	South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area	$26,170	3,370	16% below national
425	Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area	$26,160	5,420	16% below national
426	Wheeling, WV-OH	$26,150	1,300	16% below national
427	Cleveland, TN	$26,140	1,830	16% below national
428	Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area	$26,100	2,480	16% below national
429	Altoona, PA	$26,090	1,800	16% below national
430	West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area	$26,060	3,420	16% below national
431	Beckley, WV	$25,950	470	17% below national
432	Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area	$25,900	6,080	17% below national
433	Decatur, AL	$25,720	1,280	18% below national
434	Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area	$25,700	2,860	18% below national
435	Corpus Christi, TX	$25,630	7,870	18% below national
436	Northwestern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area	$25,590	5,920	18% below national
437	Coastal Plains Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area	$25,590	6,450	18% below national
438	Wichita Falls, TX	$25,540	2,240	18% below national
439	New Orleans-Metairie, LA	$25,470	10,110	18% below national
440	Lubbock, TX	$25,250	7,930	19% below national
441	Hinesville, GA	$25,210	1,030	19% below national
442	Macon-Bibb County, GA	$25,000	2,920	20% below national
443	Oklahoma City, OK	$24,960	22,970	20% below national
444	Johnstown, PA	$24,750	1,380	21% below national
445	Tuscaloosa, AL	$24,630	2,360	21% below national
446	Auburn-Opelika, AL	$24,600	2,370	21% below national
447	Florence, SC	$24,590	2,880	21% below national
448	Eagle Pass, TX	$24,570	1,020	21% below national
449	Sumter, SC	$24,510	1,060	21% below national
450	Victoria, TX	$24,510	1,680	21% below national
451	Morgantown, WV	$24,230	640	22% below national
452	Athens-Clarke County, GA	$24,220	3,490	22% below national
453	Border Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area	$24,130	1,840	23% below national
454	Northeastern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area	$24,080	2,200	23% below national
455	East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area	$23,920	1,830	23% below national
456	West Arkansas nonmetropolitan area	$23,870	3,150	23% below national
457	San Angelo, TX	$23,850	1,990	24% below national
458	North Arkansas nonmetropolitan area	$23,830	3,740	24% below national
459	Fort Smith, AR-OK	$23,760	2,760	24% below national
460	Eastern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area	$23,760	5,090	24% below national
461	South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area	$23,710	3,150	24% below national
462	Baton Rouge, LA	$23,650	8,490	24% below national
463	North Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area	$23,560	12,240	24% below national
464	Southern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area	$23,540	1,370	25% below national
465	Mobile, AL	$23,510	3,160	25% below national
466	Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	$23,500	2,590	25% below national
467	Hill Country Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area	$23,490	7,490	25% below national
468	West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area	$23,450	2,820	25% below national
469	East Georgia nonmetropolitan area	$23,420	3,230	25% below national
470	Dalton, GA	$23,400	1,530	25% below national
471	Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA	$23,380	2,970	25% below national
472	Hot Springs, AR	$23,350	1,260	25% below national
473	Columbus, GA-AL	$23,300	4,060	25% below national
474	Parkersburg-Vienna, WV	$23,260	330	25% below national
475	South Georgia nonmetropolitan area	$23,160	7,040	26% below national
476	Valdosta, GA	$23,100	2,380	26% below national
477	East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area	$23,070	2,010	26% below national
478	El Paso, TX	$23,030	13,520	26% below national
479	Laredo, TX	$23,030	4,620	26% below national
480	Enid, OK	$23,020	650	26% below national
481	Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL	$23,000	2,240	26% below national
482	Montgomery, AL	$22,960	3,170	26% below national
483	Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area	$22,890	1,130	27% below national
484	Texarkana, TX-AR	$22,880	2,170	27% below national
485	Albany, GA	$22,830	1,790	27% below national
486	Gulfport-Biloxi, MS	$22,820	3,520	27% below national
487	Southern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area	$22,800	570	27% below national
488	McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX	$22,790	12,160	27% below national
489	Gadsden, AL	$22,770	810	27% below national
490	Southwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area	$22,770	1,890	27% below national
491	Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area	$22,750	5,690	27% below national
492	Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area	$22,740	3,720	27% below national
493	Anniston-Oxford, AL	$22,650	1,080	27% below national
494	Jackson, MS	$22,630	8,460	27% below national
495	Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL	$22,590	1,310	28% below national
496	Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area	$22,580	920	28% below national
497	Southeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area	$22,580	1,840	28% below national
498	Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area	$22,570	1,230	28% below national
499	Hattiesburg, MS	$22,550	1,960	28% below national
500	Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area	$22,510	2,740	28% below national
501	Brownsville-Harlingen, TX	$22,500	6,570	28% below national
502	Lake Charles, LA	$22,500	2,350	28% below national
503	Shreveport-Bossier City, LA	$22,460	4,150	28% below national
504	Northwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area	$22,450	2,880	28% below national
505	Lawton, OK	$22,430	1,310	28% below national
506	Northeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area	$22,430	3,630	28% below national
507	Charleston, WV	$22,380	730	28% below national
508	West Delta Mississippi nonmetropolitan area	$22,370	2,620	28% below national
509	Dothan, AL	$22,360	1,200	28% below national
510	Hammond, LA	$22,350	1,560	28% below national
511	Lafayette, LA	$22,320	4,480	28% below national
512	South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area	$22,320	3,770	28% below national
513	Upper East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area	$22,290	5,980	29% below national
514	Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA	$22,280	1,990	29% below national
515	San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR	$22,130	17,900	29% below national
516	Aguadilla, PR	$21,940	1,600	30% below national
517	Lower West Mississippi nonmetropolitan area	$21,930	1,920	30% below national
518	Guayama, PR	$21,920	550	30% below national
519	Lower East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area	$21,890	3,430	30% below national
520	Arecibo, PR	$21,840	1,440	30% below national
521	Mayaguez, PR	$21,840	1,730	30% below national
522	Ponce, PR	$21,840	2,100	30% below national
523	Puerto Rico nonmetropolitan area	$21,840	1,070	30% below national
524	Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area	$21,820	1,910	30% below national
525	Northeast Louisiana nonmetropolitan area	$21,810	1,930	30% below national
526	Alexandria, LA	$21,760	1,490	30% below national
527	Monroe, LA	$21,550	2,060	31% below national
528	Southwest Louisiana nonmetropolitan area	$21,520	2,140	31% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 35 (food preparation and serving) with comparable pay and career paths.

Bartenders

SOC 35-3011

Chefs and Head Cooks

SOC 35-1011

Cooks, All Other

SOC 35-2019

Cooks, Fast Food

SOC 35-2011

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

SOC 35-2012

Compare Fast Food and Counter Workers side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Fast Food and Counter Workers make? ▼

The median annual salary for Fast Food and Counter Workers is $31,200 ($15.00/hour). The salary range spans from $22,840 at the 10th percentile to $42,650 at the 90th percentile.

What state pays Fast Food and Counter Workers the most? ▼

California pays the highest median salary for Fast Food and Counter Workers at $42,280/year, which is +36% above the national median.

What education do you need to become a Fast Food and Counter Workers? ▼

The typical entry-level education for Fast Food and Counter Workers is No formal educational credential. On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training.

How dangerous is being a Fast Food and Counter Workers? ▼

Fast Food and Counter Workers has a safety grade of A (Very Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 0.6 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 2.4 per 100 workers.

Is Fast Food and Counter Workers a good career? ▼

Employment for Fast Food and Counter Workers is projected to grow 6.1% from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than average. About 904,300 openings are projected each year.

How does Fast Food and Counter Workers pay vary by state? ▼

Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is California at $42,280/year, while Oklahoma pays the least at $23,430/year. BLS data covers 54 states and territories.

Which metro areas pay the most for Fast Food and Counter Workers? ▼

The highest-paying metro area for Fast Food and Counter Workers is Napa, CA at $45,410/year. BLS reports wage data for 528 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Fast Food and Counter Workers pay figures in a real decision

For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $36,070/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
Location moves pay significantly: California leads at $42,280/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.

Compiled by WageDex Editorial, Occupational Wages Editorial Team