Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $33,020 +8.3% vs national
Median hourly $15.88
10th percentile $29,120
90th percentile $38,580
Employed locally 104,270
National median $30,480

Compare Fast Food and Counter Workers salary & buying power

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Fast Food and Counter Workers
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,120
    25th
    $30,380
    50th (median)
    $33,020
    75th
    $35,060
    90th
    $38,580

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Fast Food and Counter Workers salary vs area income 37% Median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary is 63% 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
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $37,650
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $37,300
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $36,190
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $34,850
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $34,670
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $33,430

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,120
    Cooks, Restaurant $37,090
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $40,880
    Bartenders $29,120
    Food Preparation Workers $35,020
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,670

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Chicago, IL-IN is $15.88, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.56 or more per hour.

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

    The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 8.3% 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 Chicago?

    Entry-level Fast Food and Counter Workers (10th percentile) earn around $29,120 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,380.