Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary in Kahului, HI
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Kahului-Wailuku, HI metro area earn a median $37,840 a year — 21% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,161 take-home, or $2,597 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fast food and counter worker salary in Kahului, HI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,361
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,346
- Medicare (1.45%)$549
- Hawaii income tax$1,423
- Take-home pay$31,161
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.80% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Fast Food and Counter Worker pay by experience in Kahului, HI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,060 | $14.93 | $26,174 | $2,181 |
| 25th percentile | $33,530 | $16.12 | $27,991 | $2,333 |
| Median (50th) | $37,840 | $18.19 | $31,161 | $2,597 |
| 75th percentile | $42,940 | $20.64 | $34,907 | $2,909 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,860 | $23.01 | $38,506 | $3,209 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Hawaii resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,840 buys in Kahului, HI
Prices in Kahului, HI are 9.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.19× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fast food and counter worker's $31,161 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,485 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Kahului, HI has 1.4× 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
Kahului, HI ranks #55 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 |
| 55 | Kahului, HI | $37,840 | $31,161 | $28,485 |
*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 Hawaii
- Urban Honolulu, HI — $35,080
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Kahului, HI?
The median fast food and counter worker salary in the Kahului-Wailuku, HI metro area is $37,840 a year, or about $18.19 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,530 and $42,940.
What is a fast food and counter worker’s take-home pay in Kahului, HI?
On the median $37,840 salary, a single filer living in Hawaii takes home about $31,161 a year ($2,597 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,423 in Hawaii taxes in 2026.
Is Kahului, HI a good place to work as a fast food and counter worker?
Pay here is 21% above the national median of $31,200. Local prices are 9.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,485 would in a typical U.S. city. Kahului, HI ranks #55 of 241 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fast food and counter worker afford rent in Kahului, HI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Kahului, HI is $2,000 a month ($2,624 for two bedrooms) — 77% 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 Kahului, HI
- Waiter and Waitress — $82,550