SOC 35-3023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Fast Food and Counter Workers — Central Indiana
Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
In Central Indiana, IN the median wage is $27,870.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Central Indiana, IN the median wage is $27,870. That is 10.7% lower than the national median of $31,200. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $23,460 and $29,180. The lowest tenth earn under $19,530, while the highest tenth earn more than $34,560.
The area has 5,170 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.29 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Kokomo leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $29,130. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 371st of 379 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19,530 | −37.4% |
| 25th | $23,460 | −24.8% |
| Median (50th) | $27,870 | −10.7% |
| 75th | $29,180 | −6.5% |
| 90th | $34,560 | +10.8% |
| Mean | $27,320 | −12.4% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kokomo | $29,130 | 1,540 | |
| 2 | Indianapolis | $29,040 | 28,400 | |
| 3 | Fort Wayne | $28,360 | 6,900 | |
| 4 | Elkhart | $28,300 | 2,710 | |
| 5 | Columbus | $28,290 | 1,440 | |
| 6 | Michigan City | $28,250 | 1,520 | |
| 7 | Bloomington | $28,230 | 2,390 | |
| 8 | Lafayette | $28,230 | 4,260 | |
| 9 | South Bend | $28,140 | 4,240 | |
| 10 | Evansville | $27,930 | 4,470 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Central Indiana run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $27,870 goes as far as $29,871 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$27,870as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,871US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $27,870 a year, 10.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $19,530 to $34,560 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 5,170 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Kokomo, at $29,130.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Central Indiana, IN?
The median annual wage is $27,870, or $13.40 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $31,200, so pay in Central Indiana, IN is 10.7% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Central Indiana, IN earns more than $34,560 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $19,530 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Kokomo, at $29,130 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 5,170 jobs in this occupation in Central Indiana, IN. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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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