Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for fast food and counter workers in the United States was $31,200 ($15.00 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,840 | $10.98 |
| 25th | $27,700 | $13.32 |
| Median | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 75th | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| 90th | $42,650 | $20.51 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 35-3023
- Total U.S. employment: 3,854,050
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
With approximately 3,854,050 fast food and counter workers employed, this is a major occupation in the labor market.
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $22,840, median pay is $31,200, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $42,650.
Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $23,700 | $11.40 | -24.0% | 41,460 |
| Alaska | $33,280 | $16.00 | +6.7% | 5,900 |
| Arizona | $34,230 | $16.46 | +9.7% | 77,210 |
| Arkansas | $26,250 | $12.62 | -15.9% | 35,660 |
| California | $42,280 | $20.33 | +35.5% | 449,840 |
| Colorado | $36,270 | $17.44 | +16.3% | 82,010 |
| Connecticut | $35,380 | $17.01 | +13.4% | 35,720 |
| Delaware | $31,300 | $15.05 | +0.3% | 13,310 |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 | $18.00 | +20.0% | 5,500 |
| Florida | $29,080 | $13.98 | -6.8% | 235,400 |
| Georgia | $26,920 | $12.94 | -13.7% | 145,030 |
| Hawaii | $35,250 | $16.95 | +13.0% | 24,130 |
| Idaho | $28,940 | $13.91 | -7.2% | 25,810 |
| Illinois | $33,910 | $16.30 | +8.7% | 127,590 |
| Indiana | $28,790 | $13.84 | -7.7% | 97,290 |
| Iowa | $28,390 | $13.65 | -9.0% | 40,290 |
| Kansas | $27,580 | $13.26 | -11.6% | 47,140 |
| Kentucky | $27,130 | $13.04 | -13.0% | 41,860 |
| Louisiana | $22,800 | $10.96 | -26.9% | 45,720 |
| Maine | $34,710 | $16.69 | +11.3% | 17,250 |
| Maryland | $33,660 | $16.18 | +7.9% | 49,380 |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 | $17.24 | +14.9% | 85,810 |
| Michigan | $28,930 | $13.91 | -7.3% | 103,130 |
| Minnesota | $31,370 | $15.08 | +0.5% | 58,970 |
| Mississippi | $22,610 | $10.87 | -27.5% | 31,220 |
| Missouri | $30,390 | $14.61 | -2.6% | 29,360 |
| Montana | $29,090 | $13.98 | -6.8% | 14,960 |
| Nebraska | $29,000 | $13.94 | -7.1% | 30,060 |
| Nevada | $31,950 | $15.36 | +2.4% | 45,850 |
| New Hampshire | $31,590 | $15.19 | +1.3% | 14,540 |
| New Jersey | $34,150 | $16.42 | +9.5% | 93,730 |
| New Mexico | $28,700 | $13.80 | -8.0% | 28,250 |
| New York | $35,250 | $16.95 | +13.0% | 168,620 |
| North Carolina | $28,570 | $13.74 | -8.4% | 92,230 |
| North Dakota | $30,080 | $14.46 | -3.6% | 11,470 |
| Ohio | $28,430 | $13.67 | -8.9% | 163,560 |
| Oklahoma | $23,430 | $11.27 | -24.9% | 52,520 |
| Oregon | $35,050 | $16.85 | +12.3% | 59,920 |
| Pennsylvania | $28,570 | $13.74 | -8.4% | 142,220 |
| Rhode Island | $31,490 | $15.14 | +0.9% | 13,310 |
| South Carolina | $27,520 | $13.23 | -11.8% | 65,070 |
| South Dakota | $29,490 | $14.18 | -5.5% | 15,150 |
| Tennessee | $27,470 | $13.21 | -12.0% | 90,690 |
| Texas | $27,740 | $13.34 | -11.1% | 460,530 |
| Utah | $28,670 | $13.78 | -8.1% | 52,340 |
| Vermont | $36,030 | $17.32 | +15.5% | 6,830 |
| Virginia | $30,110 | $14.48 | -3.5% | 104,460 |
| Washington | $37,710 | $18.13 | +20.9% | 94,710 |
| West Virginia | $26,070 | $12.54 | -16.4% | 6,240 |
| Wisconsin | $28,600 | $13.75 | -8.3% | 67,750 |
| Wyoming | $27,860 | $13.40 | -10.7% | 7,060 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers — $33,980/yr
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $41,670/yr
- Computer Systems Analysts — $105,850/yr
- Childcare Workers — $34,980/yr
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $59,350/yr
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents — $77,710/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for fast food and counter workers?
The median annual wage for fast food and counter workers is $31,200 ($15.00 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays fast food and counter workers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many fast food and counter workers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 3,854,050 fast food and counter workers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do fast food and counter workers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $15.00. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.