Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in State College, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • State College, PA

Median annual salary $27,540 -9.6% vs national
Median hourly $13.24
10th percentile $22,040
90th percentile $34,910
Employed locally 1,780
National median $30,480

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Fast Food and Counter Workers
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State College, PA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,040
    25th
    $23,410
    50th (median)
    $27,540
    75th
    $29,950
    90th
    $34,910

    State College economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $72,748 2023 • Census ACS
    Fast Food and Counter Workers salary vs area income 38% Median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary is 62% 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
    Napa, CA $38,270
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $36,900
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $34,620
    Grants Pass, OR $34,260
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $31,470
    Lexington Park, MD $31,200

    Related occupations in State College, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses$29,390
    Cooks, Restaurant$35,430
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$38,390
    Bartenders$27,470
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$28,340
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$37,450

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in State College, PA is $13.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.14 or more per hour.

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

    The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in State College, PA is 9.6% 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 State College?

    Entry-level Fast Food and Counter Workers (10th percentile) earn around $22,040 per year in State College, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $23,410.