Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

In the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $41,500 ($19.95/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $34,900/year and the 90th was $47,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $34,883 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$41,500$19.95 per hour · $3,458 monthly
10th Percentile$34,900$16.78/hr base
25th Percentile$36,200$17.40/hr base
75th Percentile$44,200$21.25/hr base
90th Percentile$47,100$22.64/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

$41,500
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$41,500
Net 84%
Fed 7%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$34,883After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,907Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,342Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,800 / yr
California state income tax$643 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,175 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$16.78/hr$2,908$34,900$29,843
25th Percentile$17.40/hr$3,017$36,200$30,836
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$19.95/hr$3,458$41,500$34,883
75th Percentile$21.25/hr$3,683$44,200$36,944
90th Percentile$22.64/hr$3,925$47,100$39,158

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$41,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$98,161Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.88.8% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio42.3%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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $41,500, which equates to approximately $3,458 per month or $19.95 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $19.95 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.78/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.64/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA span from $34,900 at the 10th percentile to $36,200 at the 25th, $44,200 at the 75th, and $47,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?

On a median gross salary of $41,500, an estimated $34,883 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,342 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,617 (an effective rate of 15.9%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?

On the median annual salary of $41,500, gross monthly income is $3,458. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,907 per month (or $1,342 every two weeks).

Is $41,500 a good salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?

At $41,500, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 42.3% of the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA median household income ($98,161). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.8, making regional consumer goods and services 8.8% more expensive than the U.S. average.