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Food counter worker salary
Average food counter worker salary
$12.02
Understanding Food Counter Worker Salaries
The role of a food counter worker is vital in various establishments, from fast-food outlets to cafes. As of October 2025, the average salary for food counter workers stands at approximately $25,007 annually. This translates to about $12 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on location; for instance, some states report higher average wages due to cost of living adjustments.
Factors Affecting Salaries
Experience also plays a crucial role in determining earnings. Entry-level positions may start lower, while those with several years of experience often see a salary increase. Additionally, working in high-demand areas or specialized food services can lead to better compensation.
Top Paying Locations
Some of the highest paying cities for food counter workers include metropolitan areas where the demand for food services is robust. Understanding these dynamics can help job seekers navigate their career paths effectively.
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Where can a Food Counter Worker earn more?
Average food counter worker salary by state
The average food counter worker salary in North Dakota, Massachusetts, and Michigan are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average food counter worker salary states are Florida, Alabama, and Texas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for food counter workers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | $31,506 | $15.15 |
| 2 | Oklahoma | $27,664 | $13.30 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $28,647 | $13.77 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $32,728 | $15.73 |
| 5 | Washington | $27,442 | $13.19 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $31,505 | $15.15 |
| 7 | Iowa | $28,557 | $13.73 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $32,832 | $15.78 |
| 9 | Oregon | $27,707 | $13.32 |
| 10 | Maine | $28,281 | $13.60 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| 12 | New York | $27,846 | $13.39 |
| 13 | Vermont | $28,983 | $13.93 |
| 14 | Tennessee | $24,740 | $11.89 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $24,471 | $11.76 |
| 16 | Wyoming | $24,785 | $11.92 |
| 17 | California | $27,835 | $13.38 |
| 18 | Idaho | $25,478 | $12.25 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $25,482 | $12.25 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $27,366 | $13.16 |
| 21 | Kansas | $25,729 | $12.37 |
| 22 | Alaska | $26,859 | $12.91 |
| 23 | Ohio | $26,393 | $12.69 |
| 24 | Minnesota | $26,733 | $12.85 |
| 25 | Delaware | $25,650 | $12.33 |
| 26 | New Mexico | $24,475 | $11.77 |
| 27 | Arkansas | $24,736 | $11.89 |
| 28 | Louisiana | $23,214 | $11.16 |
| 29 | Nevada | $25,082 | $12.06 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $22,676 | $10.90 |
| 31 | Utah | $23,329 | $11.22 |
| 32 | New Jersey | $26,743 | $12.86 |
| 33 | Colorado | $24,690 | $11.87 |
| 34 | Montana | $24,554 | $11.80 |
| 35 | Virginia | $23,708 | $11.40 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $22,937 | $11.03 |
| 37 | Mississippi | $22,870 | $11.00 |
| 38 | Arizona | $24,179 | $11.62 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $22,264 | $10.70 |
| 40 | Illinois | $24,866 | $11.95 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $22,990 | $11.05 |
| 42 | Florida | $22,115 | $10.63 |
| 43 | Indiana | $22,672 | $10.90 |
| 44 | District of Columbia | $24,600 | $11.83 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $20,627 | $9.92 |
| 46 | Hawaii | $22,975 | $11.05 |
| 47 | Texas | $21,719 | $10.44 |
| 48 | Georgia | $21,254 | $10.22 |
| 49 | Alabama | $22,028 | $10.59 |
| 50 | Missouri | $21,317 | $10.25 |
| 51 | Maryland | $22,952 | $11.03 |
Highest paying cities for food counter workers
The highest-paying cities for food counter workers are Andover, MA, Ann Arbor, MI, and Davis, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andover, MA | $32,776 | $15.76 |
| 2 | Ann Arbor, MI | $31,304 | $15.05 |
| 3 | Davis, CA | $28,566 | $13.73 |
| 4 | Iowa City, IA | $28,476 | $13.69 |
| 5 | Franklin Square, NY | $27,842 | $13.39 |
| 6 | Beaverton, OR | $27,795 | $13.36 |
| 7 | Bellingham, WA | $27,783 | $13.36 |
| 8 | Oklahoma City, OK | $27,616 | $13.28 |
| 9 | Cleveland, OH | $27,433 | $13.19 |
| 10 | Montclair, NJ | $26,956 | $12.96 |
| 11 | Edina, MN | $26,693 | $12.83 |
| 12 | Denver, CO | $24,724 | $11.89 |
| 13 | Phoenix, AZ | $24,204 | $11.64 |
| 14 | Baton Rouge, LA | $23,225 | $11.17 |
| 15 | Chapel Hill, NC | $23,021 | $11.07 |
| 16 | Jacksonville, FL | $22,133 | $10.64 |
| 17 | San Antonio, TX | $21,713 | $10.44 |
| 18 | Gainesville, GA | $21,349 | $10.26 |
| 19 | Greenville, SC | $20,711 | $9.96 |
Food counter worker salary details
A food counter worker's salary ranges from $18,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $33,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a food counter worker's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 75th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| Average | $25,007 | $2,084 | $12 |
| 25th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
| 10th Percentile | $18,000 | $1,500 | $9 |
Highest paying food counter worker jobs
The highest paying types of food counter workers are associate food scientist, counter, and counter attendant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Service Attendant | $25,604 | $2,134 | $12.31 | 229,108 |
| Food Prep | $25,840 | $2,153 | $12.42 | 168,743 |
| Food Preparer | $27,717 | $2,310 | $13.33 | 134,113 |
| Food Service/Cashier | $28,481 | $2,373 | $13.69 | 247,779 |
| Food Server | $25,209 | $2,101 | $12.12 | 125,455 |
| Concession Worker | $26,007 | $2,167 | $12.50 | 21,780 |
Top companies hiring food counter workers now:
Which companies pay food counter workers the most?
Food counter worker salaries at UC Merced and University of California are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average food counter worker salary at companies like Postmates and Dartmouth are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UC Merced | $37,734 | $18.14 |
| 2 | University of California | $32,516 | $15.63 |
| 3 | Postmates | $31,694 | $15.24 |
| 4 | Dartmouth | $31,053 | $14.93 |
| 5 | Whole Foods Market | $30,062 | $14.45 |
| 6 | Compass Group USA | $29,923 | $14.39 |
| 7 | University of Iowa Center for Advancement | $29,916 | $14.38 |
| 8 | Bay Village Of Sarasota | $29,197 | $14.04 |
| 9 | Kelly Services | $28,285 | $13.60 |
| 10 | PSEA | $27,772 | $13.35 |
| 11 | SAGE Dining Services | $27,481 | $13.21 |
| 12 | Bethany Village | $27,152 | $13.05 |
| 13 | Jerry's Enterprises | $27,072 | $13.02 |
| 14 | Aramark | $26,551 | $12.76 |
| 15 | University of Michigan | $26,167 | $12.58 |
| 16 | Cape Cod Child Development | $25,916 | $12.46 |
| 17 | MGM Resorts International | $25,563 | $12.29 |
| 18 | Sodexo Management, Inc. | $25,427 | $12.22 |
| 19 | State of Georgia: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia | $24,873 | $11.96 |
| 20 | Utah Community Action | $24,750 | $11.90 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Food Counter Worker salary by industry
The average food counter worker salary varies across industries:
- The average food counter worker salary in the start-up industry is $31,709, the highest of any industry.
- The average food counter worker salary in the finance industry is $28,902.
- Food counter workers in the manufacturing industry earn an average salary of $25,392, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for food counter workers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Start-up | $31,709 | $15.24 |
| 2 | Education | $28,902 | $13.90 |
| 3 | Hospitality | $27,669 | $13.30 |
| 4 | Manufacturing | $25,392 | $12.21 |
High paying food counter worker jobs
Food counter worker salary trends
The average food counter worker salary has risen by $6,304 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average food counter worker earned $18,703 annually, but today, they earn $25,007 a year. That works out to a 24% change in pay for food counter workers over the last decade.
Compare food counter worker salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average food counter worker salary over time
Compare food counter worker salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Food counter worker salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $25,000 | $12.02 | +4.7% |
| 2024 | $23,800 | $11.46 | +5.4% |
| 2023 | $22,600 | $10.85 | +4.7% |
| 2022 | $21,500 | $10.34 | +6.2% |
| 2021 | $20,200 | $9.70 | +3.7% |
Recently added food counter worker salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa | Food Worker I | Iowa City, IA | 06/24/2025 | $36,126 |
| Aramark | Food Prep Worker-Spring-Ford Area School District | Royersford, PA | 06/12/2025 | $31,305 |
| University of Iowa | Food Worker I-Trayline | Iowa City, IA | 05/23/2025 | $35,416 |
| Aramark | Food Prep Worker | San Jose, CA | 04/18/2025 | $48,940 |
| City of Mesquite | Golf Course Food & Beverage Worker | Mesquite, TX | 04/10/2025 | $27,131 |
| Legends | Food Prep Worker | Saratoga Springs, NY | 03/16/2025 | $33,392 |
| University of Iowa | Food Worker II North Liberty Campus | Iowa City, IA | 03/12/2025 | $36,543 |
| University of Iowa | Food Worker I | Iowa City, IA | 02/19/2025 | $35,416 |
| Tide's Inn | Food Prep Worker #3971775 | Irvington, VA | 02/17/2025 | $34,436 |
| Aramark | Food Prep Worker | New York, NY | 01/29/2025 | $46,644 |
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