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SOC 35-3023·Food Preparation & Serving
Fast Food and Counter Workers
Median wage
$36,270
10-yr outlook
+17.9%by 2032
Openings / year
47,999
Workers in NY
183,810
How pay grows with experience
Fast Food and Counter Workers — typical pay by experience
Annual wages statewide: starting out, typical (median), and experienced.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting out (entry) | $33,405 |
| Median (typical) | $36,270 |
| Experienced | $39,301 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (NYSDOL / U.S. BLS via data.ny.gov)
Where it pays most across New York
Median pay for this occupation by region. Select a region for its full profile.
Fast Food and Counter Workers — median pay by region
Regional median annual wage, highest first.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Long Island | $36,765 |
| New York City | $36,765 |
| Hudson Valley | $36,456 |
| Capital Region | $35,146 |
| Western New York | $35,078 |
| Central New York | $34,830 |
| North Country | $34,462 |
| Southern Tier | $34,340 |
| Finger Lakes | $34,195 |
| Mohawk Valley | $33,680 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (NYSDOL / U.S. BLS via data.ny.gov)
A realistic next step
Higher-paying roles in the same field
These occupations are in the same broad field (Food Preparation & Serving) and pay more than a Fast Food and Counter Workers. It's a transparent “same field, higher pay” guide — not a skills-match score.
- Dishwashers$36,415 median (+$145) · +11.6% by 2032
- Food Preparation Workers$37,049 median (+$780) · +9.4% by 2032
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$37,826 median (+$1,556) · +21.4% by 2032
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$38,042 median (+$1,772) · +16.8% by 2032
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$38,126 median (+$1,856) · +21.1% by 2032
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$39,090 median (+$2,820) · +23.1% by 2032
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