Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

In the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $31,300 ($15.05/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $28,600/year and the 90th was $39,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New York tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,236 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$31,300$15.05 per hour · $2,608 monthly
10th Percentile$28,600$13.75/hr base
25th Percentile$30,500$14.66/hr base
75th Percentile$33,000$15.87/hr base
90th Percentile$39,700$19.09/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

$31,300
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$31,300
Net 84%
Fed 5%
NY 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,236After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,186Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,009Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,576 / yr
New York state income tax$1,094 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,394 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NY)
10th Percentile$13.75/hr$2,383$28,600$24,212
25th Percentile$14.66/hr$2,542$30,500$25,636
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.05/hr$2,608$31,300$26,236
75th Percentile$15.87/hr$2,750$33,000$27,510
90th Percentile$19.09/hr$3,308$39,700$32,532

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$31,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$72,237Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.84.2% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio43.3%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY is $31,300, which equates to approximately $2,608 per month or $15.05 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY is $15.05 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.75/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.09/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY span from $28,600 at the 10th percentile to $30,500 at the 25th, $33,000 at the 75th, and $39,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

On a median gross salary of $31,300, an estimated $26,236 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,009 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New York in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,064 (an effective rate of 16.2%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

On the median annual salary of $31,300, gross monthly income is $2,608. After federal, FICA, and New York state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,186 per month (or $1,009 every two weeks).

Is $31,300 a good salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

At $31,300, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 43.3% of the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY median household income ($72,237). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.8, making regional consumer goods and services 4.2% cheaper than the U.S. average.