Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in Merced, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Merced, CA

Median annual salary $36,440 +19.6% vs national
Median hourly $17.52
10th percentile $33,280
90th percentile $44,730
Employed locally 2,540
National median $30,480

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Fast Food and Counter Workers
in
Merced, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,280
    25th
    $34,690
    50th (median)
    $36,440
    75th
    $40,850
    90th
    $44,730

    Merced economic context

    Unemployment rate 9.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,044 2023 • Census ACS
    Fast Food and Counter Workers salary vs area income 56% Median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary is 44% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $40,470
    Napa, CA $38,270
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $38,090
    Vallejo, CA $37,680
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $37,650

    Related occupations in Merced, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food $35,960
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $45,280
    Waiters and Waitresses $33,420
    Cooks, Restaurant $37,740
    Food Preparation Workers $35,140
    Dishwashers $34,260

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Merced, CA is $17.52, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.85 or more per hour.

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

    The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Merced, CA is 19.6% 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 Merced?

    Entry-level Fast Food and Counter Workers (10th percentile) earn around $33,280 per year in Merced, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,690.