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Occupation · SOC 35-3023

Fast Food and Counter Workers

There are 3,854,050 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $31,200 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Food ServiceTypical education: No formal educational credential
3,854,050
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$31,200
Median pay a year
Middle half: $27,700–$36,070
827,400
Annual openings
10-year change: +5.8%
0
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 393 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $35,420 · LCA filings 0166,040$35,4200
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $42,110 · LCA filings 0160,270$42,1100
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $28,070 · LCA filings 0128,380$28,0700
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $27,570 · LCA filings 0105,810$27,5700
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $34,630 · LCA filings 097,280$34,6300
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $27,780 · LCA filings 080,730$27,7800
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $32,220 · LCA filings 069,080$32,2200
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $34,600 · LCA filings 060,560$34,6000
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $36,290 · LCA filings 060,130$36,2900
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $29,600 · LCA filings 056,900$29,6000

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Napa, CAEmployment 1,440 · LCA filings 0$45,4101,4400
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 23,060 · LCA filings 0$44,57023,0600
Vallejo, CAEmployment 4,430 · LCA filings 0$44,1104,4300
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 49,970 · LCA filings 0$43,87049,9700
Santa Rosa–Petaluma, CAEmployment 4,720 · LCA filings 0$43,6104,7200

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $35,318 · Level III $37,107 · Level IV $38,875$33,550$35,318$37,107$38,875
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $38,522 · Level III $41,059 · Level IV $43,597$35,984$38,522$41,059$43,597
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $26,645 · Level III $29,328 · Level IV $31,990$23,982$26,645$29,328$31,990
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $24,565 · Level III $27,602 · Level IV $30,638$21,528$24,565$27,602$30,638
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $32,573 · Level III $34,674 · Level IV $36,774$30,472$32,573$34,674$36,774
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $24,877 · Level III $28,309 · Level IV $31,720$21,466$24,877$28,309$31,720
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $29,307 · Level III $31,845 · Level IV $34,382$26,770$29,307$31,845$34,382
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $33,197 · Level III $35,526 · Level IV $37,856$30,867$33,197$35,526$37,856
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $34,320 · Level III $36,213 · Level IV $38,126$32,406$34,320$36,213$38,126
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $29,827 · Level III $31,762 · Level IV $33,675$27,914$29,827$31,762$33,675

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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Related occupations · Food Service

Waiters and WaitressesCooks, RestaurantFirst-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving WorkersFood Preparation WorkersBartendersHosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee ShopDining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender HelpersCooks, Fast Food

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology