Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $26,960 -11.5% vs national
Median hourly $12.96
10th percentile $18,570
90th percentile $35,050
Employed locally 89,540
National median $30,480

Compare Fast Food and Counter Workers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Houston, TX stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Fast Food and Counter Workers
in
Houston, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $18,570
    25th
    $22,490
    50th (median)
    $26,960
    75th
    $29,170
    90th
    $35,050

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Fast Food and Counter Workers salary vs area income 34% Median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary is 66% 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
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $28,920
    Midland, TX $28,330
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $27,610
    San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $27,570
    Waco, TX $27,270
    Odessa, TX $27,120

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses $26,830
    Cooks, Restaurant $33,760
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,200
    Food Preparation Workers $29,770
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $26,370
    Bartenders $26,990

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Houston, TX is $12.96, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $16.93 or more per hour.

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

    The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Houston, TX is 11.5% 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Fast Food and Counter Workers (10th percentile) earn around $18,570 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $22,490.