Amherst Town-Northampton, MA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA

In the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $34,000 ($16.35/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $29,700/year and the 90th was $36,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Massachusetts tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,119 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 100.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,000$16.35 per hour · $2,833 monthly
10th Percentile$29,700$14.28/hr base
25th Percentile$32,000$15.38/hr base
75th Percentile$35,100$16.88/hr base
90th Percentile$36,700$17.64/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$34,000
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,000
Net 83%
Fed 6%
MA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,119After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,343Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,082Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,900 / yr
Massachusetts state income tax$1,380 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,601 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MA)
10th Percentile$14.28/hr$2,475$29,700$24,879
25th Percentile$15.38/hr$2,667$32,000$26,612
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.35/hr$2,833$34,000$28,119
75th Percentile$16.88/hr$2,925$35,100$28,948
90th Percentile$17.64/hr$3,058$36,700$30,153

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$87,001Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index100.20.2% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio39.1%of area median income

Compare fast food or counter workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Massachusetts:

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA is $34,000, which equates to approximately $2,833 per month or $16.35 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA is $16.35 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.28/hour and one in ten earned more than $17.64/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA span from $29,700 at the 10th percentile to $32,000 at the 25th, $35,100 at the 75th, and $36,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?

On a median gross salary of $34,000, an estimated $28,119 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,082 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Massachusetts in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,881 (an effective rate of 17.3%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?

On the median annual salary of $34,000, gross monthly income is $2,833. After federal, FICA, and Massachusetts state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,343 per month (or $1,082 every two weeks).

Is $34,000 a good salary in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?

At $34,000, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 39.1% of the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA median household income ($87,001). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 100.2, making regional consumer goods and services 0.2% more expensive than the U.S. average.