Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $27,490 a year ($13.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 15,320 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,310 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $27,470. There are 25 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $27,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,310 | $10.73 |
| 25th percentile | $23,770 | $11.43 |
| Median | $27,490 | $13.21 |
| 75th percentile | $29,230 | $14.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,310 | $16.98 |
| Average (mean) | $27,980 | $13.45 |
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 | $2,290.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,145.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,057.31 |
| Weekly | $528.65 |
| Hourly | $13.21 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $29,150 | 28,680 |
| Knoxville, TN | $27,720 | 12,730 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $27,470 | 8,720 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $27,170 | 8,370 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $27,140 | 7,770 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $26,990 | 4,000 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $26,890 | 4,170 |
| Morristown, TN | $26,530 | 1,590 |
| Jackson, TN | $26,360 | 2,370 |
| Johnson City, TN | $26,270 | 2,900 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $26,260 | 1,900 |
| Cleveland, TN | $26,140 | 1,830 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $23,760 | 2,760 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $23,350 | 1,260 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $22,880 | 2,170 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $22,820 | 3,520 |
| Jackson, MS | $22,630 | 8,460 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $22,550 | 1,960 |
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 |
See Fast Food and Counter Workers pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $24,550 | $11.80 |
| Bartender | $28,710 | $13.80 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,080 | $14.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,620 | $19.05 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,290 | $13.12 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,230 | $13.09 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,610 | $13.27 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $33,170 | $15.95 |
| Dishwasher | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,880 | $14.37 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,230 | $31.84 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $38,530 | $18.52 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $27,490 a year, or $13.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $35,310 a year. The top 25% earn $29,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,310 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $23,770 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 15,320 fast food and counter workers are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.