How much does a fast food and counter worker make?
The median fast food and counter worker in the United States earns $31,200 per year, about $15.00 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all fast food and counter workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 35-3023.
Fast food and counter worker salary range
Pay for fast food and counter workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $22,840 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $42,650. The average (mean) wage of $32,150 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22,840 | $10.98 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $27,700 | $13.32 | |
| Median (50th) | $31,200 | $15.00 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $36,070 | $17.34 | |
| 90th percentile | $42,650 | $20.51 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for fast food and counter workers (SOC 35-3023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Fast food and counter worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Fast food and counter workers earn the most in California at $42,280 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $22,610. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $42,280 | 449,840 |
| Washington | $37,710 | 94,710 |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 | 5,500 |
| Colorado | $36,270 | 82,010 |
| Vermont | $36,030 | 6,830 |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 | 85,810 |
| Connecticut | $35,380 | 35,720 |
| Hawaii | $35,250 | 24,130 |
| New York | $35,250 | 168,620 |
| Oregon | $35,050 | 59,920 |
| Maine | $34,710 | 17,250 |
| Arizona | $34,230 | 77,210 |
| New Jersey | $34,150 | 93,730 |
| Illinois | $33,910 | 127,590 |
| Maryland | $33,660 | 49,380 |
| Alaska | $33,280 | 5,900 |
| Nevada | $31,950 | 45,850 |
| New Hampshire | $31,590 | 14,540 |
| Rhode Island | $31,490 | 13,310 |
| Minnesota | $31,370 | 58,970 |
| Delaware | $31,300 | 13,310 |
| Missouri | $30,390 | 29,360 |
| Virginia | $30,110 | 104,460 |
| North Dakota | $30,080 | 11,470 |
| South Dakota | $29,490 | 15,150 |
| Montana | $29,090 | 14,960 |
| Florida | $29,080 | 235,400 |
| Nebraska | $29,000 | 30,060 |
| Idaho | $28,940 | 25,810 |
| Michigan | $28,930 | 103,130 |
| Indiana | $28,790 | 97,290 |
| New Mexico | $28,700 | 28,250 |
| Utah | $28,670 | 52,340 |
| Wisconsin | $28,600 | 67,750 |
| North Carolina | $28,570 | 92,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $28,570 | 142,220 |
| Ohio | $28,430 | 163,560 |
| Iowa | $28,390 | 40,290 |
| Wyoming | $27,860 | 7,060 |
| Texas | $27,740 | 460,530 |
| Kansas | $27,580 | 47,140 |
| South Carolina | $27,520 | 65,070 |
| Tennessee | $27,470 | 90,690 |
| Kentucky | $27,130 | 41,860 |
| Georgia | $26,920 | 145,030 |
| Arkansas | $26,250 | 35,660 |
| West Virginia | $26,070 | 6,240 |
| Alabama | $23,700 | 41,460 |
| Oklahoma | $23,430 | 52,520 |
| Louisiana | $22,800 | 45,720 |
| Mississippi | $22,610 | 31,220 |
State median wages for fast food and counter workers (SOC 35-3023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for fast food and counter workers
The BLS projects employment of fast food and counter workers to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 3,855,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 4,079,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 827,400 openings a year for fast food and counter workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a fast food and counter worker
The typical entry-level education for fast food and counter workers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a fast food and counter worker earns
Employer, region, seniority, and in many cases tips shape take-home pay. Fine dining, large venues, and high cost cities lift the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $42,280) and the lowest (Mississippi, $22,610) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,854,050 people work as fast food and counter workers in the United States. At $31,200 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Fast food and counter worker salary FAQ
How much does a fast food and counter worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a fast food and counter worker is $15.00. The middle half of fast food and counter workers earn between $13.32 and $17.34 per hour.
What is the highest fast food and counter worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of fast food and counter workers earn more than $42,650 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a fast food and counter worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a fast food and counter worker is $31,200. The average (mean) wage of $32,150 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a fast food and counter worker a well paid job?
At $31,200 a year, a fast food and counter worker earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,854,050 people work as fast food and counter workers in the United States.
Which state pays fast food and counter workers the most?
California has the highest median salary for fast food and counter workers at $42,280 a year. Washington ($37,710) and District of Columbia ($37,430) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a fast food and counter worker a good career?
Employment of fast food and counter workers is projected to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 827,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a fast food and counter worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for fast food and counter workers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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