Fast Food and Counter Workers vs Food Service Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Food Service Managers professionals earn $34,830 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 114.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $38,800 compared to $105,420 for Food Service Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
$22,620$105,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Food Service Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,620 | $42,380 | $-19,760 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,150 | $53,090 | $-25,940 |
| Median (50th) | $30,480 | $65,310 | $-34,830 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,440 | $82,300 | $-46,860 |
| 90th Percentile | $38,800 | $105,420 | $-66,620 |
| Mean (Average) | $31,350 | $72,370 | $-41,020 |
Employment Numbers
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Food Service Managers
244,230
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 Food Service Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $95,540 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $86,840 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $84,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $82,570 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $82,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Fast Food and Counter Workers or Food Service Managers?
Food Service Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $34,830 (114.3% 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 Food Service Managers?
Food Service Managers salaries range from $42,380 (10th percentile) to $105,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,310.
How many Fast Food and Counter Workers and Food Service Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers positions and 244,230 Food Service Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Food Service Managers 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 Food Service Managers earns $65,310. 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