Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary in Bellingham, WA
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn a median $37,030 a year — 19% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,934 take-home, or $2,661 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fast food and counter worker salary in Bellingham, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,264
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,296
- Medicare (1.45%)$537
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$31,934
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Fast Food and Counter Worker pay by experience in Bellingham, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,230 | $16.94 | $30,487 | $2,541 |
| 25th percentile | $35,830 | $17.23 | $30,969 | $2,581 |
| Median (50th) | $37,030 | $17.80 | $31,934 | $2,661 |
| 75th percentile | $42,670 | $20.51 | $36,465 | $3,039 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,490 | $21.87 | $38,731 | $3,228 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,030 buys in Bellingham, WA
Prices in Bellingham, WA are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fast food and counter worker's $31,934 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,903 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Bellingham, WA 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
Bellingham, WA ranks #23 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 |
| 23 | Bellingham, WA | $37,030 | $31,934 | $30,903 |
*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 Washington
- Yakima, WA — $35,830
- Kennewick, WA — $36,410
- Spokane, WA — $35,780
- Bremerton, WA — $37,080
- Seattle, WA — $39,150
- Olympia, WA — $36,110
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Bellingham, WA?
The median fast food and counter worker salary in the Bellingham, WA metro area is $37,030 a year, or about $17.80 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,830 and $42,670.
What is a fast food and counter worker’s take-home pay in Bellingham, WA?
On the median $37,030 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $31,934 a year ($2,661 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Bellingham, WA a good place to work as a fast food and counter worker?
Pay here is 19% above the national median of $31,200. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,903 would in a typical U.S. city. Bellingham, WA ranks #23 of 241 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fast food and counter worker afford rent in Bellingham, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Bellingham, WA is $1,493 a month ($1,794 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%.