Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in Buffalo, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Median annual salary $34,240 +12.3% vs national
Median hourly $16.46
10th percentile $31,200
90th percentile $36,620
Employed locally 14,200
National median $30,480

Compare Fast Food and Counter Workers salary & buying power

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Fast Food and Counter Workers
in
Buffalo, NY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,200
    25th
    $31,760
    50th (median)
    $34,240
    75th
    $35,300
    90th
    $36,620

    Buffalo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,572 2023 • Census ACS
    Fast Food and Counter Workers salary vs area income 49% Median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary is 51% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Fast Food and Counter Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $42,660
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $40,470
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $38,310
    Napa, CA $38,270
    District of Columbia $38,240
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $38,090

    Nearby metros — Fast Food and Counter Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $42,660
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $35,420
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $35,080
    Kingston, NY $34,670
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $34,170
    Ithaca, NY $34,090

    Related occupations in Buffalo, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses $46,820
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $42,290
    Cooks, Restaurant $37,700
    Bartenders $49,950
    Food Preparation Workers $34,270
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $34,020

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make per hour in Buffalo?

    The median hourly wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Buffalo, NY is $16.46, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.74 or more per hour.

    Is Buffalo above or below average for Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries?

    The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Buffalo, NY is 12.3% above the national median of $30,480. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Buffalo?

    Entry-level Fast Food and Counter Workers (10th percentile) earn around $31,200 per year in Buffalo, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,760.