Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Massachusetts
Fast Food and Counter Workers in Massachusetts earn a median of $35,850 a year ($17.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 85,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,700 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $31,200. Massachusetts ranks 6th of 51 states for fast food and counter workers pay. There are 24 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,290 | $15.04 |
| 25th percentile | $33,770 | $16.23 |
| Median | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| 75th percentile | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,700 | $18.61 |
| Average (mean) | $35,880 | $17.25 |
Half of fast food and counter workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,987.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,493.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,378.85 |
| Weekly | $689.42 |
| Hourly | $17.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $36,290 | 60,130 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $36,100 | 2,950 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $34,680 | 1,470 |
| Worcester, MA | $34,610 | 8,800 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $34,350 | 2,080 |
| Springfield, MA | $34,130 | 5,660 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $33,700 | 21,530 |
Highest-paying states for fast food and counter workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $42,280 |
| Washington | $37,710 |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 |
| Colorado | $36,270 |
| Vermont | $36,030 |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 |
| Connecticut | $35,380 |
| Hawaii | $35,250 |
| New York | $35,250 |
| Oregon | $35,050 |
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| Bartender | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| Dishwasher | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $47,790 | $22.98 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,540 | $33.43 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Cooks, All Other | $69,570 | $33.45 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $37,870 | $18.21 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter workers make in Massachusetts?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in Massachusetts is $35,850 a year, or $17.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in Massachusetts earn at least $38,700 a year. The top 25% earn $36,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,290 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $33,770 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Massachusetts?
About 85,810 fast food and counter workers are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.