Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Paducah, KY-IL
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn a median of $27,640 a year ($13.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $32,930 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay here is 2% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $27,130. There are 23 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $27,050, close to the median.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Paducah, KY-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,810 | $10.49 |
| 25th percentile | $23,280 | $11.19 |
| Median | $27,640 | $13.29 |
| 75th percentile | $29,390 | $14.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $32,930 | $15.83 |
| Average (mean) | $27,050 | $13.00 |
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 | $2,303.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,151.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,063.08 |
| Weekly | $531.54 |
| Hourly | $13.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $27,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $34,630 | 97,280 |
| Rockford, IL | $31,640 | 3,630 |
| Springfield, IL | $31,350 | 1,760 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $31,300 | 2,890 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $31,260 | 19,170 |
| Kankakee, IL | $31,220 | 1,220 |
| Bloomington, IL | $31,200 | 2,430 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 4,810 |
| Decatur, IL | $31,200 | 970 |
| Peoria, IL | $31,200 | 3,260 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,810 | 520 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $29,720 | 30,950 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $28,690 | 15,540 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $27,990 | 5,500 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $27,650 | 2,540 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $27,260 | 1,330 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $26,990 | 4,000 |
| Owensboro, KY | $26,750 | 1,080 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $23,500 | 2,590 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Paducah, KY-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,280 | $14.08 |
| Bartender | $26,350 | $12.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,210 | $13.08 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,310 | $16.98 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,440 | $12.71 |
| Dishwasher | $29,520 | $14.19 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,030 | $13.00 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $44,720 | $21.50 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Paducah, KY-IL
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 Paducah, KY-IL?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area is $27,640 a year, or $13.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $32,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Paducah, KY-IL?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn at least $32,930 a year. The top 25% earn $29,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Paducah, KY-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,810 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $23,280 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Paducah, KY-IL?
About 1,160 fast food and counter workers are employed in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.