Columbus, GA-AL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Columbus, GA-AL

In the Columbus, GA-AL metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $23,800 ($11.44/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $21,200/year and the 90th was $32,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Alabama tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $20,323 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 89.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$23,800$11.44 per hour · $1,983 monthly
10th Percentile$21,200$10.19/hr base
25th Percentile$22,200$10.67/hr base
75th Percentile$28,000$13.46/hr base
90th Percentile$32,900$15.82/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

$23,800
$15,000$50,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$23,800
Net 85%
Fed 3%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$20,323After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,694Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$782Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$770 / yr
Alabama state income tax$887 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$1,821 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Columbus, GA-AL

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 Columbus, GA-AL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AL)
10th Percentile$10.19/hr$1,767$21,200$18,299
25th Percentile$10.67/hr$1,850$22,200$19,077
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$11.44/hr$1,983$23,800$20,323
75th Percentile$13.46/hr$2,333$28,000$23,586
90th Percentile$15.82/hr$2,742$32,900$27,306

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Columbus, GA-AL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$23,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$59,336Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index89.310.7% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio40.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Columbus, GA-AL

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Columbus, GA-AL?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Columbus, GA-AL is $23,800, which equates to approximately $1,983 per month or $11.44 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Columbus, GA-AL?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Columbus, GA-AL is $11.44 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.19/hour and one in ten earned more than $15.82/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Columbus, GA-AL?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Columbus, GA-AL span from $21,200 at the 10th percentile to $22,200 at the 25th, $28,000 at the 75th, and $32,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Columbus, GA-AL?

On a median gross salary of $23,800, an estimated $20,323 lands in net take-home pay per year ($782 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Alabama in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,477 (an effective rate of 14.6%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Columbus, GA-AL?

On the median annual salary of $23,800, gross monthly income is $1,983. After federal, FICA, and Alabama state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,694 per month (or $782 every two weeks).

Is $23,800 a good salary in Columbus, GA-AL?

At $23,800, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 40.1% of the Columbus, GA-AL median household income ($59,336). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 89.3, making regional consumer goods and services 10.7% cheaper than the U.S. average.