Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Fast food and counter workers (SOC 35-3023) employed 3,854,050 people in May 2025. The median pay is $31,200 a year ($15.00 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $22,840 and the highest-paid 10% more than $42,650. BLS projects its employment to change by +5.8% between 2025 and 2035 (about 827,400 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: No formal educational credential.
Highest median pay: California ($42,280), Washington ($37,710), District of Columbia ($37,430). Most jobs: Texas (460,530), California (449,840), Florida (235,400).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,840 | $10.98 |
| 25th percentile | $27,700 | $13.32 |
| Median | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Mean | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| 75th percentile | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $42,650 | $20.50 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 3,855,900 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 4,079,100 |
| Change in jobs | 223,300 |
| Percent change | +5.8% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 827,400 |
| Self-employed share | 0.1% |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 41,460 | 0.79 | $23,700 | $21,080 | $32,740 | -24% | 55% |
| Alaska | 5,900 | 0.73 | $33,280 | $24,830 | $45,170 | +7% | 52% |
| Arizona | 77,210 | 0.96 | $34,230 | $30,760 | $43,990 | +10% | 59% |
| Arkansas | 35,660 | 1.10 | $26,250 | $23,240 | $32,120 | -16% | 45% |
| California | 449,840 | 1.00 | $42,280 | $35,530 | $47,950 | +36% | 60% |
| Colorado | 82,010 | 1.15 | $36,270 | $31,040 | $44,100 | +16% | 60% |
| Connecticut | 35,720 | 0.85 | $35,380 | $34,010 | $39,660 | +13% | 53% |
| Delaware | 13,310 | 1.11 | $31,300 | $31,200 | $37,530 | +0% | 59% |
| District of Columbia | 5,500 | 0.32 | $37,430 | $37,260 | $46,800 | +20% | 62% |
| Florida | 235,400 | 0.96 | $29,080 | $27,570 | $36,430 | -7% | 75% |
| Georgia | 145,030 | 1.20 | $26,920 | $20,910 | $36,110 | -14% | 67% |
| Hawaii | 24,130 | 1.55 | $35,250 | $29,120 | $45,140 | +13% | 66% |
| Idaho | 25,810 | 1.21 | $28,940 | $20,130 | $36,330 | -7% | 57% |
| Illinois | 127,590 | 0.84 | $33,910 | $31,200 | $37,330 | +9% | 47% |
| Indiana | 97,290 | 1.23 | $28,790 | $22,110 | $35,820 | -8% | 46% |
| Iowa | 40,290 | 1.04 | $28,390 | $21,620 | $35,990 | -9% | 41% |
| Kansas | 47,140 | 1.32 | $27,580 | $21,620 | $34,280 | -12% | 47% |
| Kentucky | 41,860 | 0.84 | $27,130 | $21,590 | $34,420 | -13% | 44% |
| Louisiana | 45,720 | 0.95 | $22,800 | $18,610 | $33,320 | -27% | 56% |
| Maine | 17,250 | 1.09 | $34,710 | $30,740 | $42,640 | +11% | 42% |
| Maryland | 49,380 | 0.72 | $33,660 | $31,200 | $37,390 | +8% | 61% |
| Massachusetts | 85,810 | 0.95 | $35,850 | $31,290 | $38,700 | +15% | 62% |
| Michigan | 103,130 | 0.94 | $28,930 | $25,960 | $35,970 | -7% | 48% |
| Minnesota | 58,970 | 0.81 | $31,370 | $28,190 | $37,140 | +1% | 49% |
| Mississippi | 31,220 | 1.08 | $22,610 | $18,530 | $29,090 | -28% | 53% |
| Missouri | 29,360 | 0.40 | $30,390 | $28,600 | $36,830 | -3% | 42% |
| Montana | 14,960 | 1.18 | $29,090 | $22,760 | $36,780 | -7% | 49% |
| Nebraska | 30,060 | 1.18 | $29,000 | $28,080 | $35,760 | -7% | 46% |
| Nevada | 45,850 | 1.19 | $31,950 | $26,630 | $42,860 | +2% | 64% |
| New Hampshire | 14,540 | 0.86 | $31,590 | $22,580 | $38,440 | +1% | 59% |
| New Jersey | 93,730 | 0.88 | $34,150 | $32,220 | $39,130 | +9% | 63% |
| New Mexico | 28,250 | 1.31 | $28,700 | $26,670 | $36,360 | -8% | 47% |
| New York | 168,620 | 0.70 | $35,250 | $32,240 | $44,740 | +13% | 56% |
| North Carolina | 92,230 | 0.75 | $28,570 | $21,800 | $36,820 | -8% | 56% |
| North Dakota | 11,470 | 1.08 | $30,080 | $22,750 | $37,380 | -4% | 39% |
| Ohio | 163,560 | 1.19 | $28,430 | $23,200 | $34,920 | -9% | 46% |
| Oklahoma | 52,520 | 1.24 | $23,430 | $20,510 | $30,300 | -25% | 53% |
| Oregon | 59,920 | 1.23 | $35,050 | $30,950 | $44,370 | +12% | 55% |
| Pennsylvania | 142,220 | 0.95 | $28,570 | $22,030 | $35,880 | -8% | 53% |
| Rhode Island | 13,310 | 1.07 | $31,490 | $31,200 | $36,540 | +1% | 54% |
| South Carolina | 65,070 | 1.14 | $27,520 | $22,340 | $35,020 | -12% | 55% |
| South Dakota | 15,150 | 1.34 | $29,490 | $27,880 | $36,380 | -5% | 41% |
| Tennessee | 90,690 | 1.12 | $27,470 | $21,850 | $35,060 | -12% | 56% |
| Texas | 460,530 | 1.32 | $27,740 | $21,710 | $35,680 | -11% | 64% |
| Utah | 52,340 | 1.22 | $28,670 | $21,980 | $36,670 | -8% | 67% |
| Vermont | 6,830 | 0.91 | $36,030 | $30,450 | $46,080 | +15% | 44% |
| Virginia | 104,460 | 1.03 | $30,110 | $27,130 | $37,550 | -3% | 66% |
| Washington | 94,710 | 1.08 | $37,710 | $35,050 | $47,860 | +21% | 58% |
| West Virginia | 6,240 | 0.36 | $26,070 | $18,750 | $35,150 | -16% | 41% |
| Wisconsin | 67,750 | 0.93 | $28,600 | $22,240 | $36,090 | -8% | 48% |
| Wyoming | 7,060 | 1.01 | $27,860 | $20,300 | $37,020 | -11% | 43% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napa, CA | 1,440 | $45,410 | $36,520 | $48,780 | 0.75 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 23,060 | $44,570 | $37,860 | $54,220 | 0.82 |
| Vallejo, CA | 4,430 | $44,110 | $35,760 | $49,330 | 1.24 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 49,970 | $43,870 | $36,460 | $55,210 | 0.85 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 4,720 | $43,610 | $36,510 | $49,080 | 0.93 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 3,220 | $43,400 | $35,120 | $46,930 | 1.32 |
| Salinas, CA | 4,180 | $43,260 | $35,290 | $46,790 | 0.90 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 5,930 | $42,940 | $35,280 | $46,520 | 1.19 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 24,910 | $42,860 | $35,170 | $47,450 | 0.93 |
| Modesto, CA | 6,700 | $42,630 | $35,270 | $47,030 | 1.38 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 9,520 | $42,370 | $35,340 | $46,870 | 1.19 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 3,310 | $42,350 | $34,650 | $46,000 | 1.09 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 51,310 | $42,280 | $34,790 | $46,540 | 1.21 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 42,550 | $42,190 | $35,510 | $47,200 | 1.12 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 160,270 | $42,110 | $35,720 | $46,830 | 1.03 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 1,610 | $42,060 | $34,480 | $46,060 | 1.33 |
| Yuba City, CA | 1,630 | $42,040 | $34,850 | $46,520 | 1.29 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 7,560 | $41,740 | $34,700 | $46,360 | 1.05 |
| Fresno, CA | 12,330 | $39,480 | $35,070 | $45,830 | 1.04 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 9,180 | $39,470 | $35,190 | $45,660 | 1.09 |
| Redding, CA | 1,930 | $39,160 | $34,320 | $44,860 | 1.09 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 49,190 | $39,150 | $35,580 | $50,980 | 0.95 |
| El Centro, CA | 1,630 | $38,840 | $34,530 | $45,820 | 1.01 |
| Visalia, CA | 4,850 | $38,600 | $34,390 | $45,320 | 1.14 |
| Chico, CA | 2,630 | $38,210 | $34,320 | $45,070 | 1.35 |
| Merced, CA | 2,500 | $38,200 | $34,600 | $45,460 | 1.27 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | 2,590 | $37,840 | $31,060 | $47,860 | 1.42 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 2,770 | $37,190 | $31,140 | $47,470 | 0.93 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 3,180 | $37,080 | $35,840 | $45,970 | 1.37 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 42,810 | $37,070 | $33,230 | $44,420 | 1.07 |
| Bellingham, WA | 2,830 | $37,030 | $35,230 | $45,490 | 1.25 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 1,580 | $36,890 | $35,610 | $45,540 | 1.21 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 8,660 | $36,550 | $34,950 | $42,760 | 0.86 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | 1,690 | $36,450 | $34,650 | $45,600 | 1.33 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 4,120 | $36,410 | $34,900 | $44,410 | 1.28 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 60,130 | $36,290 | $31,520 | $39,440 | 0.90 |
| Boulder, CO | 4,880 | $36,190 | $33,360 | $45,460 | 1.02 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 3,910 | $36,110 | $34,960 | $45,420 | 1.21 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 2,950 | $36,100 | $31,770 | $42,060 | 1.26 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | 1,440 | $36,020 | $34,990 | $46,600 | 1.41 |
| Yakima, WA | 3,280 | $35,830 | $34,650 | $44,240 | 1.37 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 7,870 | $35,780 | $34,650 | $44,350 | 1.24 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 34,840 | $35,620 | $34,280 | $45,320 | 1.16 |
| Bend, OR | 3,680 | $35,460 | $31,620 | $44,410 | 1.37 |
| Kingston, NY | 1,440 | $35,460 | $32,240 | $42,330 | 0.98 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 166,040 | $35,420 | $33,070 | $44,130 | 0.71 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | 6,280 | $35,320 | $32,240 | $43,120 | 0.94 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 8,040 | $35,300 | $31,190 | $42,990 | 1.12 |
| New Haven, CT | 5,900 | $35,290 | $34,010 | $37,730 | 0.85 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 17,240 | $35,080 | $29,120 | $44,100 | 1.56 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 12,370 | $35,030 | $34,010 | $41,350 | 0.83 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 800 | $35,020 | $34,650 | $43,820 | 1.24 |
| Grants Pass, OR | 1,240 | $34,900 | $31,320 | $43,170 | 1.64 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | 5,770 | $34,850 | $31,040 | $45,210 | 1.37 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | 3,860 | $34,850 | $34,010 | $36,670 | 0.97 |
| Ithaca, NY | 870 | $34,800 | $32,240 | $41,900 | 0.73 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | 3,220 | $34,800 | $34,010 | $37,210 | 1.03 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | 1,490 | $34,720 | $30,780 | $41,090 | 1.26 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 4,300 | $34,720 | $32,220 | $37,510 | 0.72 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 1,470 | $34,680 | $31,200 | $37,830 | 1.04 |
The median is $31,200 a year ($15.00 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $22,840 and the highest-paid tenth over $42,650 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
3,854,050 in May 2025, and BLS projects +5.8% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: No formal educational credential (BLS).
California, with a median of $42,280 (among states with published figures).