Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in Columbia, MO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, MO

Median annual salary $28,090 -7.8% vs national
Median hourly $13.50
10th percentile $26,770
90th percentile $36,770
Employed locally 1,300
National median $30,480

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Fast Food and Counter Workers
in
Columbia, MO
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,770
    25th
    $27,260
    50th (median)
    $28,090
    75th
    $29,690
    90th
    $36,770

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,463 2023 • Census ACS
    Fast Food and Counter Workers salary vs area income 40% Median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary is 60% 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $40,470
    Modesto, CA $37,430
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $36,470
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $36,460
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $36,010
    Vermont $34,540

    Related occupations in Columbia, MO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses$25,950
    Cooks, Fast Food$28,200
    Cooks, Restaurant$33,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$36,850
    Bartenders$25,580
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$31,360

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Columbia, MO is $13.50, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.61 or more per hour.

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

    The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Columbia, MO is 7.8% below 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Fast Food and Counter Workers (10th percentile) earn around $26,770 per year in Columbia, MO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,260.