Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Auburn-Opelika, AL
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area earn a median of $24,600 a year ($11.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,370 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,220 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay here is 4% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $23,700. There are 33 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $25,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Auburn-Opelika, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,770 | $9.99 |
| 25th percentile | $21,750 | $10.46 |
| Median | $24,600 | $11.83 |
| 75th percentile | $27,560 | $13.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| Average (mean) | $25,840 | $12.42 |
Half of fast food and counter workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,050 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,025 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $946.15 |
| Weekly | $473.08 |
| Hourly | $11.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $27,180 | 5,030 |
| Birmingham, AL | $27,020 | 10,080 |
| Decatur, AL | $25,720 | 1,280 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $24,630 | 2,360 |
| Mobile, AL | $23,510 | 3,160 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $23,300 | 4,060 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $23,000 | 2,240 |
| Montgomery, AL | $22,960 | 3,170 |
| Gadsden, AL | $22,770 | 810 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $22,650 | 1,080 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $22,590 | 1,310 |
| Dothan, AL | $22,360 | 1,200 |
Highest-paying states for fast food and counter workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $42,280 |
| Washington | $37,710 |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 |
| Colorado | $36,270 |
| Vermont | $36,030 |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 |
| Connecticut | $35,380 |
| Hawaii | $35,250 |
| New York | $35,250 |
| Oregon | $35,050 |
See Fast Food and Counter Workers pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Auburn-Opelika, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,470 | $12.73 |
| Bartender | $26,210 | $12.60 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,120 | $13.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,580 | $14.70 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,770 | $13.83 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $29,680 | $14.27 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $23,520 | $11.31 |
| Dishwasher | $28,160 | $13.54 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $20,900 | $10.05 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $21,860 | $10.51 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $68,830 | $33.09 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Auburn-Opelika, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter workers make in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area is $24,600 a year, or $11.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area earn at least $34,220 a year. The top 25% earn $27,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,770 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $21,750 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
About 2,370 fast food and counter workers are employed in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.