Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

In the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $33,500 ($16.11/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $31,100/year and the 90th was $37,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Maryland tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $27,870 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 104.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$33,500$16.11 per hour · $2,792 monthly
10th Percentile$31,100$14.95/hr base
25th Percentile$31,100$14.95/hr base
75th Percentile$35,400$17.02/hr base
90th Percentile$37,200$17.88/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

$33,500
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$33,500
Net 83%
Fed 5%
MD 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$27,870After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,322Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,072Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,840 / yr
Maryland state income tax$1,228 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,563 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MD)
10th Percentile$14.95/hr$2,592$31,100$26,055
25th Percentile$14.95/hr$2,592$31,100$26,055
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.11/hr$2,792$33,500$27,870
75th Percentile$17.02/hr$2,950$35,400$29,306
90th Percentile$17.88/hr$3,100$37,200$30,667

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$33,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$99,470Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index104.54.5% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio33.7%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD is $33,500, which equates to approximately $2,792 per month or $16.11 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD is $16.11 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.95/hour and one in ten earned more than $17.88/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD span from $31,100 at the 10th percentile to $31,100 at the 25th, $35,400 at the 75th, and $37,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

On a median gross salary of $33,500, an estimated $27,870 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,072 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Maryland in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,630 (an effective rate of 16.8%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

On the median annual salary of $33,500, gross monthly income is $2,792. After federal, FICA, and Maryland state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,322 per month (or $1,072 every two weeks).

Is $33,500 a good salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

At $33,500, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 33.7% of the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD median household income ($99,470). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 104.5, making regional consumer goods and services 4.5% more expensive than the U.S. average.