Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Missouri
Fast Food and Counter Workers in Missouri earn a median of $30,390 a year ($14.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 29,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,830 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $31,200. Missouri ranks 22nd of 51 states for fast food and counter workers pay. There are 10 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.40). The average (mean) salary is $32,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $28,900 | $13.89 |
| Median | $30,390 | $14.61 |
| 75th percentile | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| Average (mean) | $32,130 | $15.45 |
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 | $2,532.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,266.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,168.85 |
| Weekly | $584.42 |
| Hourly | $14.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $30,390 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $31,260 | 19,170 |
| Springfield, MO | $29,950 | 2,560 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,810 | 520 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $29,580 | 520 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $29,560 | 20,120 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $29,430 | 640 |
| Columbia, MO | $29,390 | 1,410 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $28,730 | 1,130 |
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 |
Related jobs in Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,400 | $14.13 |
| Bartender | $30,090 | $14.47 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,890 | $14.37 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $34,900 | $16.78 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,850 | $15.31 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,130 | $14.00 |
| Dishwasher | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,480 | $31.00 |
| Cooks, All Other | $43,990 | $21.15 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $38,490 | $18.50 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in Missouri is $30,390 a year, or $14.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Missouri?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in Missouri earn at least $36,830 a year. The top 25% earn $34,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,600 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $28,900 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Missouri?
About 29,360 fast food and counter workers are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.