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Counter salary
Average counter salary
$15.81
Average Counter Salary
The average salary for a counter in the United States stands at $32,875 per year, translating to about $16 per hour. Salaries can vary based on factors such as location, experience, and the specific industry in which a counter works. For example, counters in retail may earn differently compared to those in hospitality or food services.
How Much Does a Counter Make?
In addition to base salaries, many counters can benefit from tips or commissions, especially in service-oriented industries. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for those considering this career path.
Where Can a Counter Earn More?
Geographical differences play a significant role in salary potential. For instance, counters in major metropolitan areas often have higher earning potential compared to those in rural locations. Additionally, states like California and New York typically offer higher salaries due to the cost of living.
Highest Paying Cities for Counters
Some of the highest-paying cities for counters include:
- San Francisco, CA
- New York, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
By exploring job opportunities in these areas, counters can maximize their earning potential while enjoying vibrant urban experiences.
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Where can a Counter earn more?
Average counter salary by state
The highest-paying states for counters are Colorado, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The lowest average counter salary states are Mississippi, Georgia, and Tennessee.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for counters
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $40,343 | $19.40 |
| 2 | Vermont | $41,359 | $19.88 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $42,715 | $20.54 |
| 4 | Indiana | $37,822 | $18.18 |
| 5 | Ohio | $37,971 | $18.26 |
| 6 | Colorado | $43,954 | $21.13 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $42,125 | $20.25 |
| 8 | Nevada | $38,690 | $18.60 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $42,691 | $20.52 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $42,549 | $20.46 |
| 11 | Kentucky | $35,517 | $17.08 |
| 12 | Alaska | $36,158 | $17.38 |
| 13 | Washington | $38,126 | $18.33 |
| 14 | Virginia | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| 15 | Wyoming | $36,293 | $17.45 |
| 16 | Delaware | $40,745 | $19.59 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $38,965 | $18.73 |
| 18 | New Jersey | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| 19 | New York | $37,619 | $18.09 |
| 20 | Michigan | $35,768 | $17.20 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $36,921 | $17.75 |
| 22 | Idaho | $37,402 | $17.98 |
| 23 | Oregon | $33,289 | $16.00 |
| 24 | Arkansas | $31,833 | $15.30 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | $34,984 | $16.82 |
| 26 | Arizona | $36,445 | $17.52 |
| 27 | New Mexico | $33,164 | $15.94 |
| 28 | District of Columbia | $39,273 | $18.88 |
| 29 | Iowa | $30,738 | $14.78 |
| 30 | North Carolina | $29,172 | $14.03 |
| 31 | Minnesota | $33,337 | $16.03 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $29,304 | $14.09 |
| 33 | Texas | $31,661 | $15.22 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $28,788 | $13.84 |
| 35 | Utah | $32,505 | $15.63 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | $31,049 | $14.93 |
| 37 | Missouri | $30,103 | $14.47 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $28,235 | $13.57 |
| 39 | Wisconsin | $29,459 | $14.16 |
| 40 | Montana | $29,591 | $14.23 |
| 41 | California | $33,467 | $16.09 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $30,706 | $14.76 |
| 43 | Kansas | $29,605 | $14.23 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $29,754 | $14.30 |
| 45 | Illinois | $30,954 | $14.88 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $27,083 | $13.02 |
| 47 | Maryland | $30,567 | $14.70 |
| 48 | Alabama | $29,438 | $14.15 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $26,922 | $12.94 |
| 50 | Georgia | $28,254 | $13.58 |
| 51 | Florida | $26,429 | $12.71 |
Highest paying cities for counters
The highest-paying cities for counters are Longmont, CO, Wellesley, MA, and Washington, DC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Longmont, CO | $43,942 | $21.13 |
| 2 | Wellesley, MA | $42,555 | $20.46 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $39,304 | $18.90 |
| 4 | Las Vegas, NV | $38,561 | $18.54 |
| 5 | Reston, VA | $38,494 | $18.51 |
| 6 | Findlay, OH | $38,362 | $18.44 |
| 7 | Lakewood, WA | $38,314 | $18.42 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| 9 | Trenton, NJ | $37,557 | $18.06 |
| 10 | Nicholasville, KY | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| 11 | Minneapolis, MN | $33,326 | $16.02 |
| 12 | Los Angeles, CA | $33,177 | $15.95 |
| 13 | Portland, OR | $33,171 | $15.95 |
| 14 | Lubbock, TX | $32,265 | $15.51 |
| 15 | Chicago, IL | $31,151 | $14.98 |
| 16 | Bellevue, NE | $30,822 | $14.82 |
| 17 | Pearl City, HI | $29,325 | $14.10 |
| 18 | Smyrna, GA | $28,344 | $13.63 |
| 19 | Smyrna, TN | $28,234 | $13.57 |
| 20 | Sumter, SC | $27,012 | $12.99 |
Counter salary details
A counter's salary ranges from $23,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $46,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a counter's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
| 75th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| Average | $32,875 | $2,740 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
Highest paying counter jobs
The highest paying types of counters are parts-counter sales, food sales clerk, and counter sales person.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Repair Agent | $30,440 | $2,537 | $14.63 | 46,009 |
| Services Clerk | $31,246 | $2,604 | $15.02 | 149,892 |
| Counter Sales Representative | $33,527 | $2,794 | $16.12 | 183,752 |
| Cashier | $28,144 | $2,345 | $13.53 | 456,110 |
| Counter Sales Person | $34,201 | $2,850 | $16.44 | 195,197 |
| Counter Clerk | $30,268 | $2,522 | $14.55 | 75,025 |
Top companies hiring counters now:
Which companies pay counters the most?
Counter salaries at Jacobs Engineering Group and Steel Dynamics are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average counter salary at companies like UPS and Leidos are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacobs Engineering Group | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| 2 | Steel Dynamics | $43,884 | $21.10 |
| 3 | UPS | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| 4 | Leidos | $36,921 | $17.75 |
| 5 | Firebirds Wood Fired Grill | $35,446 | $17.04 |
| 6 | Monarch Casino & Resort | $35,227 | $16.94 |
| 7 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino | $35,179 | $16.91 |
| 8 | General Dynamics | $34,693 | $16.68 |
| 9 | The Samuels Group | $34,655 | $16.66 |
| 10 | Amuse Restaurant | $34,433 | $16.55 |
| 11 | Cambia Health Solutions | $34,402 | $16.54 |
| 12 | The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory | $34,137 | $16.41 |
| 13 | CACI International | $33,572 | $16.14 |
| 14 | ManTech | $33,058 | $15.89 |
| 15 | Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County | $32,948 | $15.84 |
| 16 | Xator | $32,878 | $15.81 |
| 17 | Pala Casino Spa and Resort | $32,672 | $15.71 |
| 18 | Treasure Island Resort & Casino | $32,284 | $15.52 |
| 19 | Northern Quest Resort & Casino | $32,205 | $15.48 |
| 20 | Caterpillar | $31,990 | $15.38 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Counter salary by industry
The average counter salary varies across industries:
- The average counter salary in the transportation industry is $31,126, the highest of any industry.
- The average counter salary in the finance industry is $31,101.
- Counters in the hospitality industry earn an average salary of $30,265, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for counters
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transportation | $31,126 | $14.96 |
| 2 | Retail | $31,101 | $14.95 |
| 3 | Professional | $30,885 | $14.85 |
| 4 | Hospitality | $30,265 | $14.55 |
High paying counter jobs
Counter salary trends
The average counter salary has risen by $8,658 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average counter earned $24,217 annually, but today, they earn $32,875 a year. That works out to a 21% change in pay for counters over the last decade.
Compare counter salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average counter salary over time
Compare counter salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Counter salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,900 | $15.81 | +6.6% |
| 2024 | $30,700 | $14.76 | +5.3% |
| 2023 | $29,100 | $13.97 | +5.4% |
| 2022 | $27,500 | $13.22 | +1.0% |
| 2021 | $27,200 | $13.08 | +4.3% |
Recently added counter salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gourmandise The Bakery | Counter | Draper, UT | 06/29/2025 | $25,044 |
| McLane Company, Inc. | Counter | Nicholasville, KY | 06/25/2025 | $40,697 |
| Colours | Counter | Franklin, NJ | 06/22/2025 | $29,218 |
| Arrow International | Ticket Counter | Fairfield, CA | 06/17/2025 | $33,392 |
| Flour Bakery + Cafe | Counter Staff | Boston, MA | 06/15/2025 | $41,740 |
| Adecco Us, Inc. | Vendedor Counter | Bayamn, PR | 06/14/2025 | $25,044 |
| Deauville Inn Inc. | Fish Monger-Deli Counter | Downe, NJ | 06/10/2025 | $37,566 |
| Ever'Man Natural Foods | Counter Staff | Pensacola, FL | 06/10/2025 | $17,218 |
| Pavement Coffeehouse | Counter Staff | Boston, MA | 06/09/2025 | $39,653 |
| Sonepar USA | Warehouse/Counter | Portland, ME | 06/08/2025 | $45,914 |
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