Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 35-3023As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for fast food and counter workers in the United States is $31,200 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 3.9M people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Signing an offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,840 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $27,700 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $31,200 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $36,070 | Experienced |
| 90th | $42,650 | Senior / highest decile |
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Start $1 Trial →Median Salary by State
| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $42,280 | $41,680 | 450,000 |
| Washington | $37,710 | $40,390 | 95,000 |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 | $39,840 | 6,000 |
| Colorado | $36,270 | $36,890 | 82,000 |
| Vermont | $36,030 | $37,610 | 7,000 |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 | $35,880 | 86,000 |
| Connecticut | $35,380 | $36,330 | 36,000 |
| Hawaii | $35,250 | $35,810 | 24,000 |
| New York | $35,250 | $36,920 | 169,000 |
| Oregon | $35,050 | $36,200 | 60,000 |
| Maine | $34,710 | $35,880 | 17,000 |
| Arizona | $34,230 | $35,090 | 77,000 |
| New Jersey | $34,150 | $35,110 | 94,000 |
| Illinois | $33,910 | $34,280 | 128,000 |
| Maryland | $33,660 | $34,210 | 49,000 |
| Alaska | $33,280 | $34,500 | 6,000 |
| Nevada | $31,950 | $32,820 | 46,000 |
| New Hampshire | $31,590 | $32,120 | 15,000 |
| Rhode Island | $31,490 | $34,040 | 13,000 |
| Minnesota | $31,370 | $32,450 | 59,000 |
| Delaware | $31,300 | $33,650 | 13,000 |
| Missouri | $30,390 | $32,130 | 29,000 |
| Virginia | $30,110 | $31,930 | 104,000 |
| North Dakota | $30,080 | $31,260 | 11,000 |
| South Dakota | $29,490 | $30,900 | 15,000 |
| Montana | $29,090 | $30,120 | 15,000 |
| Florida | $29,080 | $30,940 | 235,000 |
| Nebraska | $29,000 | $30,910 | 30,000 |
| Idaho | $28,940 | $28,630 | 26,000 |
| Michigan | $28,930 | $30,260 | 103,000 |
| Indiana | $28,790 | $28,980 | 97,000 |
| New Mexico | $28,700 | $30,260 | 28,000 |
| Utah | $28,670 | $29,100 | 52,000 |
| Wisconsin | $28,600 | $29,110 | 68,000 |
| North Carolina | $28,570 | $29,050 | 92,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $28,570 | $28,930 | 142,000 |
| Ohio | $28,430 | $28,900 | 164,000 |
| Iowa | $28,390 | $28,940 | 40,000 |
| Wyoming | $27,860 | $27,520 | 7,000 |
| Texas | $27,740 | $27,750 | 461,000 |
| Kansas | $27,580 | $27,190 | 47,000 |
| South Carolina | $27,520 | $27,840 | 65,000 |
| Tennessee | $27,470 | $27,870 | 91,000 |
| Kentucky | $27,130 | $26,890 | 42,000 |
| Georgia | $26,920 | $27,290 | 145,000 |
| Arkansas | $26,250 | $26,890 | 36,000 |
| West Virginia | $26,070 | $26,780 | 6,000 |
| Virgin Islands | $24,410 | $25,310 | 840 |
| Alabama | $23,700 | $25,600 | 41,000 |
| Oklahoma | $23,430 | $25,050 | 53,000 |
| Louisiana | $22,800 | $24,580 | 46,000 |
| Mississippi | $22,610 | $23,880 | 31,000 |
| Puerto Rico | $22,030 | $22,500 | 26,000 |
| Guam | $20,770 | $21,310 | 1,000 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a fast food and counter workers in the US?
The US national median wage for fast food and counter workers is $31,200 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for fast food and counter workers in the US?
Pay ranges from $22,840 at the 10th percentile to $42,650 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay fast food and counter workers the most?
The highest-paying states for fast food and counter workers include California ($42,280), Washington ($37,710), District of Columbia ($37,430). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does fast food and counter workers salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — California ($42,280) pays roughly 104% more than Guam ($20,770). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-09-02