Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary in Jackson, MS
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Jackson, MS metro area earn a median $22,630 a year — 27% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $20,073 take-home, or $1,673 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fast food and counter worker salary in Jackson, MS. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$653
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,403
- Medicare (1.45%)$328
- Mississippi income tax$173
- Take-home pay$20,073
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 4.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Fast Food and Counter Worker pay by experience in Jackson, MS
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,340 | $8.82 | $16,711 | $1,393 |
| 25th percentile | $21,280 | $10.23 | $19,015 | $1,585 |
| Median (50th) | $22,630 | $10.88 | $20,073 | $1,673 |
| 75th percentile | $26,330 | $12.66 | $22,972 | $1,914 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $29,130 | $14.00 | $25,153 | $2,096 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Mississippi resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $22,630 buys in Jackson, MS
Prices in Jackson, MS are 11.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 35% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fast food and counter worker's $20,073 take-home pay has the buying power of $22,541 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Jackson, MS 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
Jackson, MS ranks #237 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 |
| 237 | Jackson, MS | $22,630 | $20,073 | $22,541 |
*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 Mississippi
- Gulfport, MS — $22,820
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Jackson, MS?
The median fast food and counter worker salary in the Jackson, MS metro area is $22,630 a year, or about $10.88 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $21,280 and $26,330.
What is a fast food and counter worker’s take-home pay in Jackson, MS?
On the median $22,630 salary, a single filer living in Mississippi takes home about $20,073 a year ($1,673 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $173 in Mississippi taxes in 2026.
Is Jackson, MS a good place to work as a fast food and counter worker?
Pay here is 27% below the national median of $31,200. Local prices are 11.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $22,541 would in a typical U.S. city. Jackson, MS ranks #237 of 241 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fast food and counter worker afford rent in Jackson, MS?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Jackson, MS is $1,045 a month ($1,229 for two bedrooms) — 62% of a median fast food and counter worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Jackson, MS
- Cooks, Fast Food — $22,310
- Waiter and Waitress — $21,440