Watertown-Fort Drum, NY · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY

In the Watertown-Fort Drum, NY metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $28,600 ($13.75/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $26,200/year and the 90th was $36,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New York tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $24,212 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$28,600$13.75 per hour · $2,383 monthly
10th Percentile$26,200$12.60/hr base
25th Percentile$27,900$13.41/hr base
75th Percentile$30,200$14.52/hr base
90th Percentile$36,400$17.50/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

$28,600
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$28,600
Net 85%
Fed 4%
NY 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$24,212After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,018Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$931Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,252 / yr
New York state income tax$948 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,188 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY

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 Watertown-Fort Drum, NY Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NY)
10th Percentile$12.60/hr$2,183$26,200$22,368
25th Percentile$13.41/hr$2,325$27,900$23,676
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$13.75/hr$2,383$28,600$24,212
75th Percentile$14.52/hr$2,517$30,200$25,412
90th Percentile$17.50/hr$3,033$36,400$30,058

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$28,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$66,301Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index87.712.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio43.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY is $28,600, which equates to approximately $2,383 per month or $13.75 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY is $13.75 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.60/hour and one in ten earned more than $17.50/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY span from $26,200 at the 10th percentile to $27,900 at the 25th, $30,200 at the 75th, and $36,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

On a median gross salary of $28,600, an estimated $24,212 lands in net take-home pay per year ($931 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New York in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,388 (an effective rate of 15.3%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

On the median annual salary of $28,600, gross monthly income is $2,383. After federal, FICA, and New York state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,018 per month (or $931 every two weeks).

Is $28,600 a good salary in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

At $28,600, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 43.1% of the Watertown-Fort Drum, NY median household income ($66,301). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 87.7, making regional consumer goods and services 12.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.