Fast Food and Counter Workers
Food and beverage serving and related workers take and prepare orders, clear tables, and do other tasks associated with providing food and drink to customers.
Is fast food and counter workers a good career?
It scores 82/100 and ranks #6 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- High volume of openings — about 904,300 a year
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($31,200 vs $61,390)
What fast food and counter workers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. fast food and counter workers earn between $27,700 and $36,070 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Live fast food and counter workers jobs
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- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow faster than average through 2034.
Education
There typically are no formal education requirements for becoming a food and beverage serving worker.
Training
Workers typically learn through on-the-job training, which may last from few days to several weeks. Training includes basic customer service, kitchen safety, safe food-handling procedures, and sanitation guidelines.
Food and beverage serving and related workers typically learn their duties by watching and working with experienced staff. Some employers, particularly those in fast-food restaurants, have specific training programs for new workers.
Bartender helpers and other workers in establishments where alcohol is served may need training on state and local laws concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some states, counties, and cities mandate such training, which typically lasts a few hours.
Advancement
Some food and beverage serving and related workers advance to waiter, waitress, or bartender positions as they learn the basics of serving food or preparing drinks. Kitchen staff may advance to become food preparation workers or cooks. Still others may move up to supervisory or food service manager positions.
Important qualities
Communication skills. Food and beverage serving and related workers must listen to customers’ orders and relay them correctly to the kitchen staff so that the orders are prepared as requested.
Customer-service skills. Food service establishments rely on good food and customer service to keep customers and succeed in a competitive industry. As a result, workers should be courteous and be able to attend to customers’ requests.
Physical stamina. Food and beverage serving and related workers spend most of their shift doing physical tasks such as standing, carrying trays, and cleaning work areas.
Physical strength. Food and beverage serving and related workers need to be able to lift and carry stock and equipment that can weigh up to 50 pounds.
Related occupations
How much do fast food and counter workers make?
The national median wage is $31,200 a year, with the middle half earning between $27,700 and $36,070 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is fast food and counter workers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 82 of 100 and ranks #6 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +6.1% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a fast food and counter worker?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential.
Where do fast food and counter workers earn the most?
Among states, California pays the highest median ($42,280). Local pay for every state and metro is below.