Chico, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Chico, CA

In the Chico, CA metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $38,600 ($18.56/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,500/year and the 90th was $43,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $32,668 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 101.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$38,600$18.56 per hour · $3,217 monthly
10th Percentile$32,500$15.63/hr base
25th Percentile$33,600$16.15/hr base
75th Percentile$41,100$19.76/hr base
90th Percentile$43,800$21.06/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

$38,600
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$38,600
Net 85%
Fed 6%
CA 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$32,668After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,722Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,256Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,452 / yr
California state income tax$527 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,953 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Chico, CA

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 Chico, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$15.63/hr$2,708$32,500$28,011
25th Percentile$16.15/hr$2,800$33,600$28,851
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.56/hr$3,217$38,600$32,668
75th Percentile$19.76/hr$3,425$41,100$34,577
90th Percentile$21.06/hr$3,650$43,800$36,639

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Chico, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$38,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$67,928Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index101.21.2% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio56.8%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Chico, CA

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Chico, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Chico, CA is $38,600, which equates to approximately $3,217 per month or $18.56 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Chico, CA?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Chico, CA is $18.56 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.63/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.06/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Chico, CA?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Chico, CA span from $32,500 at the 10th percentile to $33,600 at the 25th, $41,100 at the 75th, and $43,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Chico, CA?

On a median gross salary of $38,600, an estimated $32,668 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,256 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,932 (an effective rate of 15.4%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Chico, CA?

On the median annual salary of $38,600, gross monthly income is $3,217. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,722 per month (or $1,256 every two weeks).

Is $38,600 a good salary in Chico, CA?

At $38,600, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 56.8% of the Chico, CA median household income ($67,928). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 101.2, making regional consumer goods and services 1.2% more expensive than the U.S. average.