SOC 35-3023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Fast Food and Counter Workers — Northwestern Pennsylvania
Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA is $26,340 a year, trailing the national median of $31,200 by 15.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA is $26,340 a year, trailing the national median of $31,200 by 15.6%. Half of workers earn between $22,200 and $28,550. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $21,250 and the ninetieth at $33,700.
The area has 3,520 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 23.6 of every thousand jobs. Philadelphia leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $32,220. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 364th of 373 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,250 | −31.9% |
| 25th | $22,200 | −28.8% |
| Median (50th) | $26,340 | −15.6% |
| 75th | $28,550 | −8.5% |
| 90th | $33,700 | +8.0% |
| Mean | $26,300 | −15.7% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $32,220 | 69,080 | |
| 2 | Allentown | $29,090 | 9,110 | |
| 3 | Lancaster | $28,580 | 6,870 | |
| 4 | Pittsburgh | $28,250 | 27,460 | |
| 5 | Lebanon | $28,200 | 1,490 | |
| 6 | Reading | $28,090 | 4,280 | |
| 7 | Harrisburg | $28,070 | 8,030 | |
| 8 | York | $27,920 | 5,240 | |
| 9 | State College | $27,790 | 2,320 | |
| 10 | Gettysburg | $27,590 | 920 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwestern Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $26,340 goes as far as $26,988 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$26,340as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$26,988US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $26,340 a year, 15.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $21,250 to $33,700 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,520 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $32,220.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA?
The median annual wage is $26,340, or $12.67 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 Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA is 15.6% 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 Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA earns more than $33,700 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $21,250 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 Philadelphia, at $32,220 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,520 jobs in this occupation in Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA. 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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