SOC 35-3023 · May 2025 · United States
Fast Food and Counter Workers
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers across the United States is $31,200 per year, measured over 3,854,050 jobs. The highest state median is in California, at $42,280.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Fast Food and Counter Workers
Pay for this occupation varies by 87.0% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. California pays $42,280 and Mississippi pays $22,610.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $42,280 | 449,840 | |
| 2 | Washington | $37,710 | 94,710 | |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $37,430 | 5,500 | |
| 4 | Colorado | $36,270 | 82,010 | |
| 5 | Vermont | $36,030 | 6,830 | |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $35,850 | 85,810 | |
| 7 | Connecticut | $35,380 | 35,720 | |
| 8 | Hawaii | $35,250 | 24,130 | |
| 9 | New York | $35,250 | 168,620 | |
| 10 | Oregon | $35,050 | 59,920 |
States with the most Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 460,530 | $27,740 | |
| 2 | California | 449,840 | $42,280 | |
| 3 | Florida | 235,400 | $29,080 | |
| 4 | New York | 168,620 | $35,250 | |
| 5 | Ohio | 163,560 | $28,430 | |
| 6 | Georgia | 145,030 | $26,920 | |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 142,220 | $28,570 | |
| 8 | Illinois | 127,590 | $33,910 | |
| 9 | Virginia | 104,460 | $30,110 | |
| 10 | Michigan | 103,130 | $28,930 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Napa | $45,410 | 1,440 |
| 2 | San Jose | $44,570 | 23,060 |
| 3 | Vallejo | $44,110 | 4,430 |
| 4 | San Francisco | $43,870 | 49,970 |
| 5 | Santa Rosa | $43,610 | 4,720 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz | $43,400 | 3,220 |
| 7 | Salinas | $43,260 | 4,180 |
| 8 | Santa Maria | $42,940 | 5,930 |
| 9 | Sacramento | $42,860 | 24,910 |
| 10 | Modesto | $42,630 | 6,700 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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