SOC 35-3023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Fast Food and Counter Workers — Santa Maria
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Santa Maria, CA is $42,940 per year, well above the national median of $31,200.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Santa Maria, CA is $42,940 per year, well above the national median of $31,200. The gap of 37.6% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $36,550 and $44,240. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $35,280 and the ninetieth at $46,520.
The area has 5,930 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 29.6 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Napa records the highest median at $45,410. Of the 433 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 373rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,280 | +13.1% |
| 25th | $36,550 | +17.1% |
| Median (50th) | $42,940 | +37.6% |
| 75th | $44,240 | +41.8% |
| 90th | $46,520 | +49.1% |
| Mean | $41,320 | +32.4% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Sacramento | $42,860 | 24,910 | |
| 9 | Modesto | $42,630 | 6,700 | |
| 10 | Oxnard | $42,370 | 9,520 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Santa Maria run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $42,940 buys what $38,790 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 24.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$42,940as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,790US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $42,940 a year, 37.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,280 to $46,520 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 5,930 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Napa, at $45,410.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Santa Maria, CA?
The median annual wage is $42,940, or $20.64 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 Santa Maria, CA is 37.6% higher. 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 Santa Maria, CA earns more than $46,520 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,280 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 Napa, at $45,410 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 5,930 jobs in this occupation in Santa Maria, CA. 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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