Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary in Columbus, GA
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn a median $23,300 a year — 25% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $20,211 take-home, or $1,684 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fast food and counter worker salary in Columbus, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$720
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,445
- Medicare (1.45%)$338
- Georgia income tax$586
- Take-home pay$20,211
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 5.19% state
The Columbus, GA-AL metro spans Georgia, Alabama. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Fast Food and Counter Worker pay by experience in Columbus, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $19,580 | $9.41 | $17,341 | $1,445 |
| 25th percentile | $21,850 | $10.50 | $19,092 | $1,591 |
| Median (50th) | $23,300 | $11.20 | $20,211 | $1,684 |
| 75th percentile | $27,540 | $13.24 | $23,483 | $1,957 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $30,670 | $14.75 | $25,854 | $2,155 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $23,300 buys in Columbus, GA
Prices in Columbus, GA are 10.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 39% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fast food and counter worker's $20,211 take-home pay has the buying power of $22,634 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Columbus, GA has 1.4× the national concentration of fast food and counter worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for fast food and counter workers, adjusted for cost of living
Columbus, GA ranks #235 of 241 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modesto, CA | $42,630 | $35,184 | $33,796 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $44,110 | $36,295 | $33,458 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $43,610 | $35,920 | $33,326 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $44,570 | $36,640 | $33,182 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $42,860 | $35,357 | $33,146 |
| 6 | Stockton, CA | $41,740 | $34,517 | $32,845 |
| 7 | Riverside, CA | $42,280 | $34,922 | $32,808 |
| 8 | Salinas, CA | $43,260 | $35,657 | $32,701 |
| 235 | Columbus, GA | $23,300 | $20,211 | $22,634 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 241 metros →
About the job: fast food and counter workers
Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages. Serve customers at counter or from a steam table. May take payment. May prepare food and beverages. Counter attendants who also wait tables are included in "Waiters and Waitresses" (35-3031),
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.8% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Fast Food and Counter Worker salaries elsewhere in Georgia
- Augusta, GA — $26,620
- Savannah, GA — $27,460
- Macon, GA — $25,000
- Warner Robins, GA — $26,610
- Atlanta, GA — $27,780
- Gainesville, GA — $26,690
- Valdosta, GA — $23,100
- Athens, GA — $24,220
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Columbus, GA?
The median fast food and counter worker salary in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $23,300 a year, or about $11.20 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $21,850 and $27,540.
What is a fast food and counter worker’s take-home pay in Columbus, GA?
On the median $23,300 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $20,211 a year ($1,684 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $586 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Columbus, GA a good place to work as a fast food and counter worker?
Pay here is 25% below the national median of $31,200. Local prices are 10.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $22,634 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbus, GA ranks #235 of 241 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fast food and counter worker afford rent in Columbus, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbus, GA is $936 a month ($1,084 for two bedrooms) — 56% of a median fast food and counter worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.