SOC 35-3023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Fast Food and Counter Workers — Seattle
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA · 10 metro areas compared
In Seattle, WA the median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers reaches $39,150 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Seattle, WA the median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers reaches $39,150 a year. That is 25.5% more than the national median of $31,200. Pay ranges from under $35,580 at the tenth percentile to more than $50,980 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $36,690 to $45,250.
The area has 49,190 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.95 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Bremerton records the highest median at $37,080. Of the 693 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 686th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,580 | +14.0% |
| 25th | $36,690 | +17.6% |
| Median (50th) | $39,150 | +25.5% |
| 75th | $45,250 | +45.0% |
| 90th | $50,980 | +63.4% |
| Mean | $42,260 | +35.4% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bremerton | $37,080 | 3,180 | |
| 2 | Bellingham | $37,030 | 2,830 | |
| 3 | Mount Vernon | $36,890 | 1,580 | |
| 4 | Wenatchee | $36,450 | 1,690 | |
| 5 | Kennewick | $36,410 | 4,120 | |
| 6 | Olympia | $36,110 | 3,910 | |
| 7 | Longview | $36,020 | 1,440 | |
| 8 | Yakima | $35,830 | 3,280 | |
| 9 | Spokane | $35,780 | 7,870 | |
| 10 | Walla Walla | $35,020 | 800 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Seattle run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $39,150 buys what $36,589 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 17.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$39,150as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,589US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,150 a year, 25.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,580 to $50,980 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 49,190 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bremerton, at $37,080.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Seattle, WA?
The median annual wage is $39,150, or $18.82 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 Seattle, WA is 25.5% 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 Seattle, WA earns more than $50,980 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,580 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 Bremerton, at $37,080 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 49,190 jobs in this occupation in Seattle, WA. 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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