Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $34,280 +12.5% vs national
Median hourly $16.48
10th percentile $28,920
90th percentile $43,130
Employed locally 63,090
National median $30,480

Compare Fast Food and Counter Workers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Fast Food and Counter Workers
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,920
    25th
    $31,200
    50th (median)
    $34,280
    75th
    $36,450
    90th
    $43,130

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Fast Food and Counter Workers salary vs area income 28% Median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary is 72% 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses $38,440
    Cooks, Restaurant $42,050
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $47,550
    Bartenders $50,070
    Food Preparation Workers $36,220
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $36,380

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $16.48, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.43 or more per hour.

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

    The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 12.5% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Fast Food and Counter Workers (10th percentile) earn around $28,920 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,200.