Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $35,860 +17.7% vs national
Median hourly $17.24
10th percentile $35,120
90th percentile $45,870
Employed locally 40,240
National median $30,480

Compare Fast Food and Counter Workers salary & buying power

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Fast Food and Counter Workers
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San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,120
    25th
    $35,580
    50th (median)
    $35,860
    75th
    $39,520
    90th
    $45,870

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Fast Food and Counter Workers salary vs area income 35% Median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary is 65% 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 San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses $35,060
    Cooks, Restaurant $45,040
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,990
    Cooks, Fast Food $35,730
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $35,270
    Bartenders $35,240

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in San Diego, CA is $17.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.69 or more per hour.

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

    The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in San Diego, CA is 17.7% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Fast Food and Counter Workers (10th percentile) earn around $35,120 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,580.