EN

Language

Search
CostAnswer

Explore

Language

MethodologyAbout

Portland-South Portland, ME · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Portland-South Portland, ME

In the Portland-South Portland, ME 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 $32,300/year and the 90th was $44,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Maine tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,534 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 101.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,400$17.50 per hour · $3,033 monthly
10th Percentile$32,300$15.53/hr base
25th Percentile$33,600$16.15/hr base
75th Percentile$38,300$18.41/hr base
90th Percentile$44,800$21.54/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 $36,000 a year leaves after tax in MaineFederal tax, FICA and Maine withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$17 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $36,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $36,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Maine publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Maine.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$36,400
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,400
Net 84%
Fed 6%
ME 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,534After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,545Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,174Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,188 / yr
Maine state income tax$893 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,785 / yr
Customize deductions in full Maine calculator

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Portland-South Portland, ME

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 Portland-South Portland, ME Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (ME)
10th Percentile$15.53/hr$2,692$32,300$27,478
25th Percentile$16.15/hr$2,800$33,600$28,447
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.50/hr$3,033$36,400$30,534
75th Percentile$18.41/hr$3,192$38,300$31,951
90th Percentile$21.54/hr$3,733$44,800$36,796

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Portland-South Portland, ME

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$92,175Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index101.91.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio39.5%of area median income

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

Compare markets

Fast Food and Counter Workers pay in other Maine metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Portland-South Portland, ME. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Portland-South Portland, ME

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Portland-South Portland, ME?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Portland-South Portland, ME 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 Portland-South Portland, ME?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Portland-South Portland, ME is $17.50 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.53/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.54/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Portland-South Portland, ME?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Portland-South Portland, ME span from $32,300 at the 10th percentile to $33,600 at the 25th, $38,300 at the 75th, and $44,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Portland-South Portland, ME?

On a median gross salary of $36,400, an estimated $30,534 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,174 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Maine in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,866 (an effective rate of 16.1%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Portland-South Portland, ME?

On the median annual salary of $36,400, gross monthly income is $3,033. After federal, FICA, and Maine state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,545 per month (or $1,174 every two weeks).

Is $36,400 a good salary in Portland-South Portland, ME?

At $36,400, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 39.5% of the Portland-South Portland, ME median household income ($92,175). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 101.9, making regional consumer goods and services 1.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.