Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary in Athens, GA
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median $24,220 a year — 22% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $20,921 take-home, or $1,743 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fast food and counter worker salary in Athens, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$812
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,502
- Medicare (1.45%)$351
- Georgia income tax$634
- Take-home pay$20,921
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 5.19% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Fast Food and Counter Worker pay by experience in Athens, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,400 | $9.81 | $17,973 | $1,498 |
| 25th percentile | $22,210 | $10.68 | $19,370 | $1,614 |
| Median (50th) | $24,220 | $11.64 | $20,921 | $1,743 |
| 75th percentile | $27,870 | $13.40 | $23,737 | $1,978 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $32,070 | $15.42 | $26,907 | $2,242 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $24,220 buys in Athens, GA
Prices in Athens, GA are 6.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 23% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fast food and counter worker's $20,921 take-home pay has the buying power of $22,413 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Athens, GA has 1.5× 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
Athens, GA ranks #239 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 |
| 239 | Athens, GA | $24,220 | $20,921 | $22,413 |
*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
- Columbus, GA — $23,300
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Athens, GA?
The median fast food and counter worker salary in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $24,220 a year, or about $11.64 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $22,210 and $27,870.
What is a fast food and counter worker’s take-home pay in Athens, GA?
On the median $24,220 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $20,921 a year ($1,743 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $634 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Athens, GA a good place to work as a fast food and counter worker?
Pay here is 22% below the national median of $31,200. Local prices are 6.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $22,413 would in a typical U.S. city. Athens, GA ranks #239 of 241 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fast food and counter worker afford rent in Athens, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Athens, GA is $1,183 a month ($1,331 for two bedrooms) — 68% of a median fast food and counter worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.