Trenton-Princeton, NJ · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

In the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $32,400 ($15.58/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $30,600/year and the 90th was $37,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New Jersey tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $27,734 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 103.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$32,400$15.58 per hour · $2,700 monthly
10th Percentile$30,600$14.71/hr base
25th Percentile$30,600$14.71/hr base
75th Percentile$34,300$16.49/hr base
90th Percentile$37,100$17.84/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

$32,400
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$32,400
Net 86%
Fed 5%
NJ 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$27,734After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,311Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,067Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,708 / yr
New Jersey state income tax$480 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,479 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NJ)
10th Percentile$14.71/hr$2,550$30,600$26,319
25th Percentile$14.71/hr$2,550$30,600$26,319
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.58/hr$2,700$32,400$27,734
75th Percentile$16.49/hr$2,858$34,300$29,227
90th Percentile$17.84/hr$3,092$37,100$31,409

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$32,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$100,645Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index103.23.2% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio32.2%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ is $32,400, which equates to approximately $2,700 per month or $15.58 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ is $15.58 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.71/hour and one in ten earned more than $17.84/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ span from $30,600 at the 10th percentile to $30,600 at the 25th, $34,300 at the 75th, and $37,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

On a median gross salary of $32,400, an estimated $27,734 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,067 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New Jersey in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,666 (an effective rate of 14.4%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

On the median annual salary of $32,400, gross monthly income is $2,700. After federal, FICA, and New Jersey state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,311 per month (or $1,067 every two weeks).

Is $32,400 a good salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?

At $32,400, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 32.2% of the Trenton-Princeton, NJ median household income ($100,645). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 103.2, making regional consumer goods and services 3.2% more expensive than the U.S. average.