Engineers, All Other 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?
Engineers, All Other professionals earn $87,270 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 286.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Engineers, All Other earns $183,510 compared to $38,800 for Fast Food and Counter Workers.
Salary Range Comparison
Engineers, All Other$62,840 – $183,510
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
$22,620$183,510
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Engineers, All Other | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $62,840 | $22,620 | +$40,220 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,750 | $27,150 | +$58,600 |
| Median (50th) | $117,750 | $30,480 | +$87,270 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,670 | $35,440 | +$117,230 |
| 90th Percentile | $183,510 | $38,800 | +$144,710 |
| Mean (Average) | $121,720 | $31,350 | +$90,370 |
Employment Numbers
Engineers, All Other
150,750
employed nationwide
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Engineers, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $162,610 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $157,770 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $156,140 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $132,840 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $131,250 |
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: Engineers, All Other or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Engineers, All Other professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $87,270 (286.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Engineers, All Other?
Engineers, All Other salaries range from $62,840 (10th percentile) to $183,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $117,750.
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 Engineers, All Other and Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs are there?
There are approximately 150,750 Engineers, All Other 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 Engineers, All Other?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Engineers, All Other has a median salary of $117,750 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