Fast Food and Counter Workers vs Financial Analysts: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Analysts professionals earn $70,870 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 232.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $38,800 compared to $180,550 for Financial Analysts.
Salary Range Comparison
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
Financial Analysts$62,410 – $180,550
$22,620$180,550
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Financial Analysts | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,620 | $62,410 | $-39,790 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,150 | $78,300 | $-51,150 |
| Median (50th) | $30,480 | $101,350 | $-70,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,440 | $132,050 | $-96,610 |
| 90th Percentile | $38,800 | $180,550 | $-141,750 |
| Mean (Average) | $31,350 | $116,490 | $-85,140 |
Employment Numbers
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Financial Analysts
340,580
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Financial Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $134,470 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $128,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $128,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,410 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $110,450 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Fast Food and Counter Workers or Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $70,870 (232.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts salaries range from $62,410 (10th percentile) to $180,550 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,350.
How many Fast Food and Counter Workers and Financial Analysts jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers positions and 340,580 Financial Analysts positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Analysts to Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Fast Food and Counter Workers has a median salary of $30,480 while Financial Analysts earns $101,350. 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