Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary in Fargo, ND
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median $30,950 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $27,048 take-home, or $2,254 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fast food and counter worker salary in Fargo, ND. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,534
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,919
- Medicare (1.45%)$449
- North Dakota income tax$0
- Take-home pay$27,048
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
The Fargo, ND-MN metro spans North Dakota, Minnesota. 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 Fargo, ND
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,230 | $11.65 | $21,563 | $1,797 |
| 25th percentile | $28,810 | $13.85 | $25,329 | $2,111 |
| Median (50th) | $30,950 | $14.88 | $27,048 | $2,254 |
| 75th percentile | $35,690 | $17.16 | $30,857 | $2,571 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,450 | $18.00 | $32,271 | $2,689 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Dakota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $30,950 buys in Fargo, ND
Prices in Fargo, ND are 9.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 19% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fast food and counter worker's $27,048 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,766 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Fast Food and Counter Worker jobs are about as common in Fargo, ND as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.11).
Best-paying cities for fast food and counter workers, adjusted for cost of living
Fargo, ND ranks #33 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 |
| 33 | Fargo, ND | $30,950 | $27,048 | $29,766 |
*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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Fargo, ND?
The median fast food and counter worker salary in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $30,950 a year, or about $14.88 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,810 and $35,690.
What is a fast food and counter worker’s take-home pay in Fargo, ND?
On the median $30,950 salary, a single filer living in North Dakota takes home about $27,048 a year ($2,254 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Fargo, ND a good place to work as a fast food and counter worker?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $31,200. Local prices are 9.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,766 would in a typical U.S. city. Fargo, ND ranks #33 of 241 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fast food and counter worker afford rent in Fargo, ND?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Fargo, ND is $917 a month ($1,112 for two bedrooms) — 41% of a median fast food and counter worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.