The median fast food worker in the U.S. earns $31,200 a year ($15.00 an hour). Half earn between $27,700 and $36,070. Among the 50 largest metro areas, pay is highest in San Jose, CA ($44,570) and lowest in Oklahoma City, OK ($24,960).
Median $31,200
10th: $22,84090th: $42,650
Percentiles. Dark: the middle half of earners. Red line: median.
Fast Food and Counter Workers, May 2025.
Annual pay
U.S.
10th percentile
$22,840
25th percentile
$27,700
Median
$31,200
75th percentile
$36,070
90th percentile
$42,650
Average
$32,150
Jobs
3,854,050
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.