Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary in Auburn, AL
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area earn a median $24,600 a year — 21% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $20,903 take-home, or $1,742 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fast food and counter worker salary in Auburn, AL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$850
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,525
- Medicare (1.45%)$357
- Alabama income tax$965
- Take-home pay$20,903
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 5.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Fast Food and Counter Worker pay by experience in Auburn, AL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,770 | $9.99 | $17,941 | $1,495 |
| 25th percentile | $21,750 | $10.46 | $18,699 | $1,558 |
| Median (50th) | $24,600 | $11.83 | $20,903 | $1,742 |
| 75th percentile | $27,560 | $13.25 | $23,193 | $1,933 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $34,220 | $16.45 | $28,230 | $2,352 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Alabama resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $24,600 buys in Auburn, AL
Prices in Auburn, AL are 12.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 38% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fast food and counter worker's $20,903 take-home pay has the buying power of $23,772 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Auburn, AL has 1.3× 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
Auburn, AL ranks #221 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 |
| 221 | Auburn, AL | $24,600 | $20,903 | $23,772 |
*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 Alabama
- Birmingham, AL — $27,020
- Huntsville, AL — $27,180
- Tuscaloosa, AL — $24,630
- Mobile, AL — $23,510
- Montgomery, AL — $22,960
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Auburn, AL?
The median fast food and counter worker salary in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area is $24,600 a year, or about $11.83 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $21,750 and $27,560.
What is a fast food and counter worker’s take-home pay in Auburn, AL?
On the median $24,600 salary, a single filer living in Alabama takes home about $20,903 a year ($1,742 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $965 in Alabama taxes in 2026.
Is Auburn, AL a good place to work as a fast food and counter worker?
Pay here is 21% below the national median of $31,200. Local prices are 12.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $23,772 would in a typical U.S. city. Auburn, AL ranks #221 of 241 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fast food and counter worker afford rent in Auburn, AL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Auburn, AL is $1,045 a month ($1,163 for two bedrooms) — 60% of a median fast food and counter worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.