Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in California
Median annual wage in California: $42,280 +35.5% vs national
California vs United States
| California | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $42,280 | $31,200 |
| Median hourly | $20.33 | $15.00 |
| Employment | 449,840 | 3,854,050 |
| Location quotient | 1 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (California) · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Reading the data
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $35,530, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $47,950 — a 1.3x gap between entry-level and top earners.
With approximately 449,840 fast food and counter workers employed in California, this is a major occupation in the labor market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average fast food and counter workers salary in California?
The median annual wage in California is $42,280 ($20.33 per hour), per BLS OES May 2024 data.
How does California compare to the national average for fast food and counter workers?
The California median of $42,280 is 35.5% higher than the U.S. median of $31,200.
How many fast food and counter workers work in California?
Approximately 449,840 are employed in California, per BLS OES.