Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary in New Haven, CT
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the New Haven, CT metro area earn a median $35,290 a year — 13% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,872 take-home, or $2,489 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fast food and counter worker salary in New Haven, CT. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,055
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,188
- Medicare (1.45%)$512
- Connecticut income tax$663
- Take-home pay$29,872
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Fast Food and Counter Worker pay by experience in New Haven, CT
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,010 | $16.35 | $28,902 | $2,408 |
| 25th percentile | $34,690 | $16.68 | $29,417 | $2,451 |
| Median (50th) | $35,290 | $16.97 | $29,872 | $2,489 |
| 75th percentile | $36,080 | $17.35 | $30,472 | $2,539 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,730 | $18.14 | $31,723 | $2,644 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Connecticut resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,290 buys in New Haven, CT
Prices in New Haven, CT are 4.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.24× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fast food and counter worker's $29,872 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,570 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Fast Food and Counter Worker jobs are about as common in New Haven, CT as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.85).
Best-paying cities for fast food and counter workers, adjusted for cost of living
New Haven, CT ranks #53 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 |
| 53 | New Haven, CT | $35,290 | $29,872 | $28,570 |
*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 Connecticut
- Waterbury, CT — $34,850
- Norwich, CT — $34,800
- Hartford, CT — $35,030
- Bridgeport, CT — $36,550
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make in New Haven, CT?
The median fast food and counter worker salary in the New Haven, CT metro area is $35,290 a year, or about $16.97 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,690 and $36,080.
What is a fast food and counter worker’s take-home pay in New Haven, CT?
On the median $35,290 salary, a single filer living in Connecticut takes home about $29,872 a year ($2,489 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $663 in Connecticut taxes in 2026.
Is New Haven, CT a good place to work as a fast food and counter worker?
Pay here is 13% above the national median of $31,200. Local prices are 4.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,570 would in a typical U.S. city. New Haven, CT ranks #53 of 241 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fast food and counter worker afford rent in New Haven, CT?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in New Haven, CT is $1,591 a month ($1,969 for two bedrooms) — 64% 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 New Haven, CT
- Cooks, Restaurant — $39,100
- Waiter and Waitress — $37,900