San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

In the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $42,200 ($20.29/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $35,400/year and the 90th was $47,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $35,417 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 110.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$42,200$20.29 per hour · $3,517 monthly
10th Percentile$35,400$17.02/hr base
25th Percentile$36,700$17.64/hr base
75th Percentile$44,800$21.54/hr base
90th Percentile$47,800$22.98/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

$42,200
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$42,200
Net 84%
Fed 7%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$35,417After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,951Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,362Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,884 / yr
California state income tax$671 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,228 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$17.02/hr$2,950$35,400$30,225
25th Percentile$17.64/hr$3,058$36,700$31,218
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$20.29/hr$3,517$42,200$35,417
75th Percentile$21.54/hr$3,733$44,800$37,402
90th Percentile$22.98/hr$3,983$47,800$39,680

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$42,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$162,111Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index110.410.4% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio26%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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $42,200, which equates to approximately $3,517 per month or $20.29 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $20.29 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.02/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.98/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA span from $35,400 at the 10th percentile to $36,700 at the 25th, $44,800 at the 75th, and $47,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

On a median gross salary of $42,200, an estimated $35,417 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,362 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,783 (an effective rate of 16.1%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

On the median annual salary of $42,200, gross monthly income is $3,517. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,951 per month (or $1,362 every two weeks).

Is $42,200 a good salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

At $42,200, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 26% of the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA median household income ($162,111). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 110.4, making regional consumer goods and services 10.4% more expensive than the U.S. average.