SOC 35-3023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Fast Food and Counter Workers — Northwest Minnesota
Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
At $29,480, median pay for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Northwest Minnesota, MN tracks the national median of $31,200 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $29,480, median pay for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Northwest Minnesota, MN tracks the national median of $31,200 closely. Pay ranges from under $27,090 at the tenth percentile to more than $36,830 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $28,730 to $34,820.
The area has 4,380 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.92 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Minneapolis records the highest median at $33,040. Of the 421 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 414th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,090 | −13.2% |
| 25th | $28,730 | −7.9% |
| Median (50th) | $29,480 | −5.5% |
| 75th | $34,820 | +11.6% |
| 90th | $36,830 | +18.0% |
| Mean | $31,060 | −0.4% |
Other metro areas in Minnesota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $33,040 | 37,920 | |
| 2 | Rochester | $31,190 | 2,550 | |
| 3 | Mankato | $30,000 | 1,860 | |
| 4 | St. Cloud | $29,680 | 2,120 | |
| 5 | Duluth | $29,260 | 2,910 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwest Minnesota sit close to the national average, so $29,480 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$29,480as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,899US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,480 a year, 5.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,090 to $36,830 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,380 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Minneapolis, at $33,040.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Northwest Minnesota, MN?
The median annual wage is $29,480, or $14.18 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 Northwest Minnesota, MN is 5.5% 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 Northwest Minnesota, MN earns more than $36,830 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,090 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 Minneapolis, at $33,040 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,380 jobs in this occupation in Northwest Minnesota, MN. 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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