Cost Estimators vs Fast Food and Counter Workers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cost Estimators professionals earn $46,590 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 152.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $38,800 for Fast Food and Counter Workers.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
$22,620$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $22,620 | +$23,710 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $27,150 | +$32,680 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $30,480 | +$46,590 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $35,440 | +$64,190 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $38,800 | +$89,840 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $31,350 | +$51,810 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Cost Estimators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $104,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $103,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,990 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86,540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,300 |
Best Cities for Fast Food and Counter Workers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $42,660 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $40,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $38,310 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $37,650 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $36,480 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Cost Estimators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $46,590 (152.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators salaries range from $46,330 (10th percentile) to $128,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $77,070.
What is the salary range for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries range from $22,620 (10th percentile) to $38,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $30,480.
How many Cost Estimators and Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Fast Food and Counter Workers to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $30,480. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS