Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Washington
Fast Food and Counter Workers in Washington earn a median of $37,710 a year ($18.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 94,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,860 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $31,200. Washington ranks 2nd of 51 states for fast food and counter workers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 27 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| 25th percentile | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| Median | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| 75th percentile | $44,240 | $21.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,860 | $23.01 |
| Average (mean) | $40,390 | $19.42 |
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 | $3,142.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,571.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,450.38 |
| Weekly | $725.19 |
| Hourly | $18.13 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,150 | 49,190 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $37,080 | 3,180 |
| Bellingham, WA | $37,030 | 2,830 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $36,890 | 1,580 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $36,450 | 1,690 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $36,410 | 4,120 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $36,110 | 3,910 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $36,020 | 1,440 |
| Yakima, WA | $35,830 | 3,280 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $35,780 | 7,870 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $35,620 | 34,840 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $35,020 | 800 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $34,650 | 930 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $56,130 | $26.98 |
| Bartender | $55,830 | $26.84 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $40,910 | $19.67 |
| Dishwasher | $40,080 | $19.27 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $41,420 | $19.91 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,760 | $20.56 |
| Cooks, All Other | $52,510 | $25.25 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in Washington is $37,710 a year, or $18.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Washington?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in Washington earn at least $47,860 a year. The top 25% earn $44,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,050 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $35,880 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Washington?
About 94,710 fast food and counter workers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.