SOC 353023

Fast Food and Counter Workers

Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages. Serve customers at counter or from a steam table. May take payment. May prepare food and beverages. Counter attendants who also wait tables are included in "Waiters and Waitresses" (35-3031),

National Median

$30,480

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$30,480

Entry Level (10th pct)

$22,620

Experienced (90th pct)

$38,800

Total Employed

3,780,930

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$22,620 - $27,150
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$27,150 - $35,440
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$35,440 - $38,800

Highest Paying Locations for Fast Food and Counter Workers

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$42,660

+40.0% vs national

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$40,470

+32.8% vs national

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

$38,310

+25.7% vs national

Napa, CA

$38,270

+25.6% vs national

District of Columbia

$38,240

+25.5% vs national

Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$42,660	21,320
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$40,470	47,330
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$38,310	51,590
Napa, CA	$38,270	1,540
District of Columbia	$38,240	7,390
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$38,090	5,160
Vallejo, CA	$37,680	4,550
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$37,650	25,790
Salinas, CA	$37,440	4,400
Modesto, CA	$37,430	7,250
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$37,300	3,050
California	$37,010	438,950
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$36,960	5,870
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$36,900	3,450
Hanford-Corcoran, CA	$36,840	1,720
Washington	$36,820	94,830
North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$36,780	2,740
Yuba City, CA	$36,780	1,590
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$36,720	7,560
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$36,620	9,180
El Centro, CA	$36,600	1,670
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$36,480	153,840
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$36,470	2,910
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$36,460	1,750
Merced, CA	$36,440	2,540
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$36,440	9,400
Visalia, CA	$36,390	4,860
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$36,310	42,620
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$36,250	51,500
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$36,190	2,920
Boulder, CO	$36,130	4,510
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	$36,010	1,480
Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area	$35,920	3,330
Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area	$35,890	910
Redding, CA	$35,880	1,880
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$35,860	40,240
Chico, CA	$35,790	2,420
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$35,710	3,530
Western Washington nonmetropolitan area	$35,690	4,110
Bellingham, WA	$35,680	2,820
Fresno, CA	$35,640	12,340
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$35,480	3,880
Colorado	$35,440	78,720
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$35,430	57,320
Barnstable Town, MA	$35,430	2,610
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$35,420	175,790
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$35,400	2,340
New York	$35,270	183,810
Longview-Kelso, WA	$35,190	1,340
Portland-South Portland, ME	$35,150	7,390

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Fast Food and Counter Workers?

The national median annual salary for Fast Food and Counter Workers is $30,480, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Fast Food and Counter Workerss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Fast Food and Counter Workerss is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $42,660.

How much can an experienced Fast Food and Counter Workers make?

Top-earning Fast Food and Counter Workerss (90th percentile) make $38,800 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.