Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$35,530
- 25th Percentile — Junior$36,790
- 50th Percentile — Median$42,280
- 75th Percentile — Senior$44,970
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$47,950
Half of Fast Food and Counter Workers in California earn more than $42,280. The top 10% make $47,950 or more, while entry-level workers start around $35,530.
Fast Food and Counter Workers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 1st of 51 states for Fast Food and Counter Workers pay, at $41,680 per year (29.6% above the U.S. average of $32,150).
- 449,840 people work as Fast Food and Counter Workers in California — 11.7% of all U.S. Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.00: Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,530; the top 10% earn over $47,950.
- Hourly equivalent: $20.04 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among hospitality jobs in California, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($69,130).
Fast Food and Counter Workers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Fast Food and Counter Workers here earn $41,680 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $41,680 is roughly equivalent to $29,352 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($40,390), District of Columbia ($39,840), Vermont ($37,610) are the closest alternatives for Fast Food and Counter Workers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $69,130/yr California +65.9% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $52,810/yr California +26.7% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $47,900/yr California +14.9% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $45,020/yr California +8.0% vs this role
- Bartenders $44,780/yr California +7.4% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $44,600/yr California +7.0% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $41,490/yr California 0.5% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $40,660/yr California 2.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in California?
The average Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in California is $41,680 per year (median $42,280), which is 29.6% above the national average of $32,150.
How does California rank for Fast Food and Counter Workers pay?
California ranks 1st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($41,680/yr).
How much do entry-level Fast Food and Counter Workers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Fast Food and Counter Workers in California earn about $35,530 per year and the 25th percentile is $36,790.
How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make per hour in California?
About $20.04 per hour, based on the $41,680 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Fast Food and Counter Workers work in California?
BLS counts 449,840 Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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