Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary in Grand Junction, CO
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Grand Junction, CO metro area earn a median $31,510 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,820 take-home, or $2,235 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fast food and counter worker salary in Grand Junction, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,601
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,954
- Medicare (1.45%)$457
- Colorado income tax$678
- Take-home pay$26,820
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Fast Food and Counter Worker pay by experience in Grand Junction, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,800 | $14.81 | $26,281 | $2,190 |
| 25th percentile | $30,800 | $14.81 | $26,281 | $2,190 |
| Median (50th) | $31,510 | $15.15 | $26,820 | $2,235 |
| 75th percentile | $34,910 | $16.78 | $29,403 | $2,450 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,270 | $17.92 | $31,195 | $2,600 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $31,510 buys in Grand Junction, CO
Prices in Grand Junction, CO are 4.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 14% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fast food and counter worker's $26,820 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,091 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Grand Junction, CO 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
Grand Junction, CO ranks #64 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 |
| 64 | Grand Junction, CO | $31,510 | $26,820 | $28,091 |
*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 Colorado
- Denver, CO — $37,070
- Fort Collins, CO — $34,850
- Boulder, CO — $36,190
- Colorado Springs, CO — $34,420
- Greeley, CO — $33,030
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Grand Junction, CO?
The median fast food and counter worker salary in the Grand Junction, CO metro area is $31,510 a year, or about $15.15 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,800 and $34,910.
What is a fast food and counter worker’s take-home pay in Grand Junction, CO?
On the median $31,510 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $26,820 a year ($2,235 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $678 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Grand Junction, CO a good place to work as a fast food and counter worker?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $31,200. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,091 would in a typical U.S. city. Grand Junction, CO ranks #64 of 241 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fast food and counter worker afford rent in Grand Junction, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Grand Junction, CO is $986 a month ($1,249 for two bedrooms) — 44% of a median fast food and counter worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.