Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $37,100 ($17.84/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,900/year and the 90th was $46,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and District of Columbia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,864 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$37,100$17.84 per hour · $3,092 monthly
10th Percentile$36,900$17.74/hr base
25th Percentile$37,000$17.79/hr base
75th Percentile$38,700$18.61/hr base
90th Percentile$46,400$22.31/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

$37,100
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$37,100
Net 83%
Fed 6%
DC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,864After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,572Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,187Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,272 / yr
District of Columbia state income tax$1,126 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,838 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (DC)
10th Percentile$17.74/hr$3,075$36,900$30,715
25th Percentile$17.79/hr$3,083$37,000$30,790
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.84/hr$3,092$37,100$30,864
75th Percentile$18.61/hr$3,225$38,700$32,053
90th Percentile$22.31/hr$3,867$46,400$37,778

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$37,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$126,684Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.98.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio29.3%of area median income

Compare fast food or counter workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in District of Columbia:

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $37,100, which equates to approximately $3,092 per month or $17.84 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $17.84 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.74/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.31/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV span from $36,900 at the 10th percentile to $37,000 at the 25th, $38,700 at the 75th, and $46,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On a median gross salary of $37,100, an estimated $30,864 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,187 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in District of Columbia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,236 (an effective rate of 16.8%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On the median annual salary of $37,100, gross monthly income is $3,092. After federal, FICA, and District of Columbia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,572 per month (or $1,187 every two weeks).

Is $37,100 a good salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

At $37,100, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 29.3% of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV median household income ($126,684). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.9, making regional consumer goods and services 8.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.