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Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

In the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $36,700 ($17.64/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,000/year and the 90th was $39,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Massachusetts tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,153 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,700$17.64 per hour · $3,058 monthly
10th Percentile$32,000$15.38/hr base
25th Percentile$34,600$16.63/hr base
75th Percentile$37,900$18.22/hr base
90th Percentile$39,600$19.04/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 payWhat $37,000 a year leaves after tax in MassachusettsFederal tax, FICA and Massachusetts withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$18 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $37,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $37,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Massachusetts publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Massachusetts.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$36,700
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,700
Net 82%
Fed 6%
MA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,153After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,513Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,160Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,224 / yr
Massachusetts state income tax$1,515 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,808 / yr
Customize deductions in full Massachusetts calculator

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MA)
10th Percentile$15.38/hr$2,667$32,000$26,612
25th Percentile$16.63/hr$2,883$34,600$28,571
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.64/hr$3,058$36,700$30,153
75th Percentile$18.22/hr$3,158$37,900$31,058
90th Percentile$19.04/hr$3,300$39,600$32,339

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$115,863Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.38.3% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio31.7%of area median income

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

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Fast Food and Counter Workers pay in other Massachusetts metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $36,700, which equates to approximately $3,058 per month or $17.64 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $17.64 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.38/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.04/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH span from $32,000 at the 10th percentile to $34,600 at the 25th, $37,900 at the 75th, and $39,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

On a median gross salary of $36,700, an estimated $30,153 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,160 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Massachusetts in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,547 (an effective rate of 17.8%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

On the median annual salary of $36,700, gross monthly income is $3,058. After federal, FICA, and Massachusetts state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,513 per month (or $1,160 every two weeks).

Is $36,700 a good salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

At $36,700, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 31.7% of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH median household income ($115,863). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.3, making regional consumer goods and services 8.3% more expensive than the U.S. average.