Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn a median of $34,850 a year ($16.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,670 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $31,200. Pay here is 1% lower than the Connecticut statewide median of $35,380. There are 24 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| 25th percentile | $34,100 | $16.40 |
| Median | $34,850 | $16.76 |
| 75th percentile | $35,660 | $17.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Average (mean) | $35,600 | $17.12 |
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 | $2,904.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,452.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,340.38 |
| Weekly | $670.19 |
| Hourly | $16.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,850 salary, see how much house you can afford in Connecticut 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $36,550 | 8,660 |
| New Haven, CT | $35,290 | 5,900 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $35,030 | 12,370 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $34,800 | 3,220 |
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 Connecticut statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| Bartender | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,780 | $16.72 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $51,220 | $24.63 |
| Dishwasher | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,180 | $16.44 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,080 | $28.41 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $38,140 | $18.34 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,780 | $21.53 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
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 Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area is $34,850 a year, or $16.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn at least $36,670 a year. The top 25% earn $35,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,010 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $34,100 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
About 3,860 fast food and counter workers are employed in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area, not counting the self-employed.