SalaryNode

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

Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area earn an average annual salary of $34,630. This figure is notably higher than the national average of $31,240, suggesting that the dynamic economic landscape and potentially higher operational costs in this metropolitan region contribute to increased compensation for these essential roles.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $34,630 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 22.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $43,130.
  • Outlook: With a substantial local workforce of 63,090 individuals employed in this sector, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area demonstrates a significant presence of Fast Food and Counter Workers. The Location Quotient of 0.82 indicates that while the concentration is slightly below the national average, the sheer volume of jobs points to a stable and active market for these positions.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$34,630

The average Fast Food and Counter Workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earns+10.9%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$16.7

Weekly

$666

Monthly

$2,886

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

Career progression for Fast Food and Counter Workers typically involves moving from entry-level roles to positions with greater responsibility, such as shift lead or assistant manager. As experience and skill sets develop, individuals can expect to see their earnings increase, with higher percentiles reflecting significant gains beyond the average, indicative of specialized roles or supervisory capacities.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$28,920$13.9
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$25,973$12.5
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$34,280$16.5
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$43,288$20.8
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$43,130$20.7

Detailed Fast Food and Counter Workers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$34,630

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$34,630

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $34,630 in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a Fast Food and Counter Worker's salary in this region is equivalent to the national average, indicating that while the nominal pay is higher, the cost of living does not present a significant disadvantage or advantage.

Job Market Context

63,090

Total Jobs

20.23

Per 1K Jobs

0.82

Location Quotient

Below Average

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has 0.82x the national average concentration of Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

The Location Quotient of 0.82 for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria suggests that this sector is slightly less concentrated than the national average. This implies that while the jobs are present and numerous, the market may not be oversaturated, potentially offering a balanced environment for job seekers and employers alike.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Fast Food and Counter Workers

CitySalaryDist.
Maryland nonmetropolitan area Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary$33,060↓ 5%17 mi
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary$33,050↓ 5%35 mi
Lexington Park, MD Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary$32,650↓ 6%55 mi
Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary$31,710↓ 8%63 mi
Winchester, VA-WV Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary$29,420↓ 15%64 mi

Comparing salaries near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Hiring Fast Food and Counter Workerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Fast Food and Counter Workers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median annual salary for a Fast Food and Counter Workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $34,630. This typically ranges from $28,920 for entry-level positions to $43,130 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 10.9% higher than the national median of $31,240.

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a lucrative place for Fast Food and Counter Workerss?

Yes, it offers above-average pay.The average annual salary of $34,630 is higher than the national average, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, making it a relatively stable financial environment.

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a good place to live for Fast Food and Counter Workers?

The Cost of Living Index in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

Some top paying nearby cities include Maryland nonmetropolitan area ($33,060) and Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD.

How does the local workforce size impact job availability?

A large local workforce of 63,090 suggests a robust demand for Fast Food and Counter Workers, indicating numerous employment opportunities within the region.

What does a Location Quotient of 0.82 mean for job seekers?

A Location Quotient below 1.0 means the industry is less concentrated than the national average, which could imply a competitive but not overly saturated job market.

How does the salary compare to the cost of living?

With an average salary of $34,630 and a Cost of Living Index of 100, your earnings will have the same purchasing power as the national average.

What are the career advancement opportunities for Fast Food and Counter Workers?

Experience typically leads to higher salaries, with opportunities for growth into supervisory or management roles, reflected in the increasing salary percentiles.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 63,090 employees in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area with a job density of 20.23 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Semantic Salary Analysis for Fast Food and Counter Workers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV