Fast Food and Counter Workers pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $30,460 a year or less, while the top 10% make $42,490 or more. The middle half of fast food and counter workers in Washington earn between $31,830 and $37,300.
- $30K10th
- $32K25th
- $35KMedian
- $37K75th
- $42K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $35,550 | $2,962 | $17.09 |
| Median | $34,600 | $2,883 | $16.63 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $31,830 | $2,652 | $15.30 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $37,300 | $3,108 | $17.93 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Fast Food and Counter Workers pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Fast food and counter workers in Washington earn 11% less than the Washington, D.C. average ($39,840) and 11% more than the U.S. average ($32,150). At the median the gap is +11% against the U.S. median of $31,200.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $35,550 | $34,600 | $30,460 | $42,490 | 60,560 |
| Washington, D.C. | $39,840 | $37,430 | $37,260 | $46,800 | 5,500 |
| United States | $32,150 | $31,200 | $22,840 | $42,650 | 3,854,050 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $35,550, a single filer in Washington takes home about $29,777 a year, or $2,481 a month and $1,145 every two weeks. Taxes take 16% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $29,842 | $2,487 |
| Working in DC | $29,777 | $2,481 |
| Working in VA | $29,514 | $2,460 |
| Working in MD | $29,267 | $2,439 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for fast food and counter workers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $35,550 buys what about $32,649 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 16.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in nearby metro areas
- Hagerstown, MD$32,350
- Baltimore, MD$33,820
- Winchester, VA$29,930
- Lexington Park, MD$33,190
- Gettysburg, PA$28,450
- Chambersburg, PA$27,410
Highest-paying cities for fast food and counter workers
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($44,980).
- San Jose, CA$44,980
- San Francisco, CA$44,620
- Napa, CA$44,010
- Vallejo, CA$42,760
- Santa Rosa, CA$42,640
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Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Washington: questions
How much do fast food and counter workers make an hour in Washington?
$17.09 an hour on average, and $16.64 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level fast food and counter workers salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $30,460 a year and the 25th percentile is $31,830, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the fast food and counter workers take-home pay in Washington?
About $29,777 a year ($2,481 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $35,550.
Do fast food and counter workers earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 11% more than the U.S. average for this job ($32,150).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-3023; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.9%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.78, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.78).
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