Bellingham, WA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Bellingham, WA

In the Bellingham, WA metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $36,400 ($17.50/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,800/year and the 90th was $46,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Washington tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,427 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 103.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,400$17.50 per hour · $3,033 monthly
10th Percentile$33,800$16.25/hr base
25th Percentile$34,600$16.63/hr base
75th Percentile$42,700$20.53/hr base
90th Percentile$46,200$22.21/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

$36,400
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,400
Net 86%
Fed 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,427After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,619Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,209Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,188 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,785 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Bellingham, WA

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 Bellingham, WA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WA)
10th Percentile$16.25/hr$2,817$33,800$29,338
25th Percentile$16.63/hr$2,883$34,600$29,981
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.50/hr$3,033$36,400$31,427
75th Percentile$20.53/hr$3,558$42,700$36,489
90th Percentile$22.21/hr$3,850$46,200$39,302

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Bellingham, WA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$81,784Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index103.33.3% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio44.5%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Bellingham, WA

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Bellingham, WA?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Bellingham, WA is $36,400, which equates to approximately $3,033 per month or $17.50 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Bellingham, WA?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Bellingham, WA is $17.50 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.25/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.21/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Bellingham, WA?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Bellingham, WA span from $33,800 at the 10th percentile to $34,600 at the 25th, $42,700 at the 75th, and $46,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Bellingham, WA?

On a median gross salary of $36,400, an estimated $31,427 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,209 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Washington in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,973 (an effective rate of 13.7%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Bellingham, WA?

On the median annual salary of $36,400, gross monthly income is $3,033. After federal, FICA, and Washington state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,619 per month (or $1,209 every two weeks).

Is $36,400 a good salary in Bellingham, WA?

At $36,400, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 44.5% of the Bellingham, WA median household income ($81,784). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 103.3, making regional consumer goods and services 3.3% more expensive than the U.S. average.