Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $29,590 a year ($14.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 42,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,140 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay here is 2% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $28,930. There are 22 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $30,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,960 | $12.48 |
| 25th percentile | $28,170 | $13.54 |
| Median | $29,590 | $14.23 |
| 75th percentile | $33,950 | $16.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Average (mean) | $30,860 | $14.84 |
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 | $2,465.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,232.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,138.08 |
| Weekly | $569.04 |
| Hourly | $14.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $33,220 | 4,800 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $28,850 | 2,740 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $28,790 | 3,200 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $28,640 | 4,810 |
| Traverse City, MI | $28,560 | 1,730 |
| Midland, MI | $28,480 | 1,060 |
| Flint, MI | $28,330 | 4,800 |
| Saginaw, MI | $28,280 | 1,940 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $28,240 | 13,190 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $28,140 | 4,240 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $28,100 | 1,500 |
| Bay City, MI | $28,060 | 1,380 |
| Monroe, MI | $27,950 | 1,330 |
| Niles, MI | $27,740 | 1,670 |
| Jackson, MI | $27,390 | 1,140 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,490 | $18.02 |
| Bartender | $36,780 | $17.68 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,170 | $16.91 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,410 | $17.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,060 | $15.90 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,760 | $14.79 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,810 | $14.33 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,290 | $14.08 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,360 | $17.96 |
| Dishwasher | $34,350 | $16.51 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,870 | $29.27 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $35,100 | $16.88 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $29,590 a year, or $14.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $36,140 a year. The top 25% earn $33,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,960 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $28,170 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 42,430 fast food and counter workers are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.