Database Administrators 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?
Database Administrators professionals earn $105,500 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 346.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Database Administrators earns $209,990 compared to $38,800 for Fast Food and Counter Workers.
Salary Range Comparison
Database Administrators$81,630 – $209,990
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
$22,620$209,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Database Administrators | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $81,630 | $22,620 | +$59,010 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,900 | $27,150 | +$80,750 |
| Median (50th) | $135,980 | $30,480 | +$105,500 |
| 75th Percentile | $169,480 | $35,440 | +$134,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $209,990 | $38,800 | +$171,190 |
| Mean (Average) | $142,620 | $31,350 | +$111,270 |
Employment Numbers
Database Administrators
64,770
employed nationwide
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Database Administrators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $188,120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $170,700 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $166,210 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $162,310 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $155,880 |
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: Database Administrators or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Database Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $105,500 (346.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Database Administrators?
Database Administrators salaries range from $81,630 (10th percentile) to $209,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $135,980.
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 Database Administrators and Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs are there?
There are approximately 64,770 Database Administrators 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 Database Administrators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Database Administrators has a median salary of $135,980 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