SOC 35-3023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Fast Food and Counter Workers — Western Washington
Western Washington nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Western Washington, WA is $36,820 per year, 18.0% 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 Western Washington, WA is $36,820 per year, 18.0% above the national median of $31,200. Half of workers earn between $35,950 and $38,310. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $35,160 and the ninetieth at $46,500.
Employment stands at 4,490, or 34.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Seattle records the highest median at $39,150. Of the 355 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 348th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,160 | +12.7% |
| 25th | $35,950 | +15.2% |
| Median (50th) | $36,820 | +18.0% |
| 75th | $38,310 | +22.8% |
| 90th | $46,500 | +49.0% |
| Mean | $38,730 | +24.1% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | $39,150 | 49,190 | |
| 2 | Bremerton | $37,080 | 3,180 | |
| 3 | Bellingham | $37,030 | 2,830 | |
| 4 | Mount Vernon | $36,890 | 1,580 | |
| 5 | Wenatchee | $36,450 | 1,690 | |
| 6 | Kennewick | $36,410 | 4,120 | |
| 7 | Olympia | $36,110 | 3,910 | |
| 8 | Longview | $36,020 | 1,440 | |
| 9 | Yakima | $35,830 | 3,280 | |
| 10 | Spokane | $35,780 | 7,870 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Western Washington run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $36,820 buys what $34,411 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 10.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,820as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$34,411US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,820 a year, 18.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,160 to $46,500 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,490 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Seattle, at $39,150.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Western Washington, WA?
The median annual wage is $36,820, or $17.70 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 Western Washington, WA is 18.0% 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 Western Washington, WA earns more than $46,500 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,160 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 Seattle, at $39,150 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,490 jobs in this occupation in Western Washington, 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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