Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary in Trenton, NJ
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median $34,720 a year — 11% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,557 take-home, or $2,463 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fast food and counter worker salary in Trenton, NJ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,986
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,153
- Medicare (1.45%)$503
- New Jersey income tax$520
- Take-home pay$29,557
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 1.75% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Fast Food and Counter Worker pay by experience in Trenton, NJ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 | $27,592 | $2,299 |
| 25th percentile | $32,220 | $15.49 | $27,592 | $2,299 |
| Median (50th) | $34,720 | $16.69 | $29,557 | $2,463 |
| 75th percentile | $36,470 | $17.53 | $30,925 | $2,577 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,510 | $18.03 | $31,724 | $2,644 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New Jersey resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,720 buys in Trenton, NJ
Prices in Trenton, NJ are 3.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.35× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fast food and counter worker's $29,557 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,646 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 less concentrated in Trenton, NJ than nationally (location quotient 0.72), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for fast food and counter workers, adjusted for cost of living
Trenton, NJ ranks #52 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 |
| 52 | Trenton, NJ | $34,720 | $29,557 | $28,646 |
*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 New Jersey
- Atlantic City, NJ — $33,270
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Trenton, NJ?
The median fast food and counter worker salary in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $34,720 a year, or about $16.69 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,220 and $36,470.
What is a fast food and counter worker’s take-home pay in Trenton, NJ?
On the median $34,720 salary, a single filer living in New Jersey takes home about $29,557 a year ($2,463 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $520 in New Jersey taxes in 2026.
Is Trenton, NJ a good place to work as a fast food and counter worker?
Pay here is 11% above the national median of $31,200. Local prices are 3.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,646 would in a typical U.S. city. Trenton, NJ ranks #52 of 241 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fast food and counter worker afford rent in Trenton, NJ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Trenton, NJ is $1,545 a month ($1,950 for two bedrooms) — 63% of a median fast food and counter worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.