Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary in 2026
How Much Do Fast Food and Counter Workers Make?
Fast Food and Counter Workers earn a median annual salary of $30,480 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $22,620 at the 10th percentile to $38,800 at the 90th percentile — a range of $16,180. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $38,240.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22,620 |
| 25th percentile | $27,150 |
| Median (50th) | $30,480 |
| 75th percentile | $35,440 |
| 90th percentile | $38,800 |
Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $38,240 |
| California | $37,010 |
| Washington | $36,820 |
| Colorado | $35,440 |
| New York | $35,270 |
| Massachusetts | $35,060 |
| Vermont | $34,540 |
| Alaska | $34,430 |
| Oregon | $34,430 |
| Maine | $34,360 |
| Connecticut | $33,980 |
| New Jersey | $33,290 |
| Arizona | $33,060 |
| Minnesota | $31,950 |
| Illinois | $31,900 |
| Maryland | $31,200 |
| Hawaii | $30,860 |
| Rhode Island | $30,460 |
| New Hampshire | $30,320 |
| Delaware | $30,210 |
| North Dakota | $30,010 |
| South Dakota | $29,480 |
| Nebraska | $29,420 |
| Missouri | $29,310 |
| Montana | $29,280 |
| Nevada | $29,180 |
| Virginia | $29,060 |
| Michigan | $28,870 |
| North Carolina | $28,760 |
| Utah | $28,670 |
| New Mexico | $28,650 |
| Wisconsin | $28,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $28,490 |
| Idaho | $28,450 |
| Iowa | $28,400 |
| Indiana | $28,290 |
| Wyoming | $28,200 |
| Ohio | $28,100 |
| Florida | $27,990 |
| Tennessee | $27,840 |
| Kentucky | $27,170 |
| Kansas | $27,000 |
| Texas | $27,000 |
| South Carolina | $26,830 |
| Arkansas | $26,740 |
| Georgia | $26,310 |
| West Virginia | $24,960 |
| Oklahoma | $23,590 |
| Alabama | $23,490 |
| Louisiana | $23,110 |
| Mississippi | $22,280 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Fast Food and Counter Workers
Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$22,620 – $27,150 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$30,480 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$35,440 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $38,800+ |
How to Earn More as a Fast Food and Counter Worker
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Fast Food and Counter Workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $42,660 — $12,180 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($35,440) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workerthis career | $30,480 |
| Food Service Manager | $65,310 |
| Chefs and Head Cook | $60,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Worker Supervisor | $42,010 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,160 |
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SOC: 35-3023.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.