Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn a median of $27,520 a year ($13.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,450 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,980 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay here is 4% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $28,570. There are 25 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $27,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,720 | $10.44 |
| 25th percentile | $23,150 | $11.13 |
| Median | $27,520 | $13.23 |
| 75th percentile | $29,680 | $14.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| Average (mean) | $27,870 | $13.40 |
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 | $2,293.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,146.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,058.46 |
| Weekly | $529.23 |
| Hourly | $13.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $27,520 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $32,220 | 69,080 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $29,090 | 9,110 |
| Lancaster, PA | $28,580 | 6,870 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $28,250 | 27,460 |
| Lebanon, PA | $28,200 | 1,490 |
| Reading, PA | $28,090 | 4,280 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $28,070 | 8,030 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $27,920 | 5,240 |
| State College, PA | $27,790 | 2,320 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $27,590 | 920 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $27,550 | 1,580 |
| Williamsport, PA | $27,400 | 1,410 |
| Erie, PA | $26,540 | 3,510 |
| Altoona, PA | $26,090 | 1,800 |
| Johnstown, PA | $24,750 | 1,380 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,770 | $14.31 |
| Bartender | $28,010 | $13.47 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,600 | $14.71 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,870 | $16.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,320 | $16.98 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,210 | $14.05 |
| Dishwasher | $28,100 | $13.51 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,720 | $13.33 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,750 | $29.21 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,840 | $13.39 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,290 | $13.60 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area is $27,520 a year, or $13.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn at least $34,980 a year. The top 25% earn $29,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,720 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $23,150 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
About 6,450 fast food and counter workers are employed in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.