Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

In the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $39,200 ($18.85/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,400/year and the 90th was $49,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Washington tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $33,677 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 111.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$39,200$18.85 per hour · $3,267 monthly
10th Percentile$36,400$17.50/hr base
25th Percentile$37,300$17.93/hr base
75th Percentile$45,900$22.07/hr base
90th Percentile$49,700$23.89/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

$39,200
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$39,200
Net 86%
Fed 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$33,677After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,806Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,295Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,524 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,999 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WA)
10th Percentile$17.50/hr$3,033$36,400$31,427
25th Percentile$17.93/hr$3,108$37,300$32,151
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.85/hr$3,267$39,200$33,677
75th Percentile$22.07/hr$3,825$45,900$39,061
90th Percentile$23.89/hr$4,142$49,700$42,114

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$39,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$115,177Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index111.111.1% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio34%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $39,200, which equates to approximately $3,267 per month or $18.85 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $18.85 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.50/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.89/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA span from $36,400 at the 10th percentile to $37,300 at the 25th, $45,900 at the 75th, and $49,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

On a median gross salary of $39,200, an estimated $33,677 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,295 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Washington in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,523 (an effective rate of 14.1%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

On the median annual salary of $39,200, gross monthly income is $3,267. After federal, FICA, and Washington state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,806 per month (or $1,295 every two weeks).

Is $39,200 a good salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

At $39,200, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 34% of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA median household income ($115,177). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 111.1, making regional consumer goods and services 11.1% more expensive than the U.S. average.