Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary in Roanoke, VA
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn a median $27,720 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $23,658 take-home, or $1,971 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fast food and counter worker salary in Roanoke, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,162
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,719
- Medicare (1.45%)$402
- Virginia income tax$780
- Take-home pay$23,658
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 5.75% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Fast Food and Counter Worker pay by experience in Roanoke, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,120 | $12.56 | $22,428 | $1,869 |
| 25th percentile | $26,840 | $12.90 | $22,984 | $1,915 |
| Median (50th) | $27,720 | $13.33 | $23,658 | $1,971 |
| 75th percentile | $29,230 | $14.05 | $24,800 | $2,067 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $34,920 | $16.79 | $29,044 | $2,420 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $27,720 buys in Roanoke, VA
Prices in Roanoke, VA are 6.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fast food and counter worker's $23,658 take-home pay has the buying power of $25,270 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 Roanoke, VA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.95).
Best-paying cities for fast food and counter workers, adjusted for cost of living
Roanoke, VA ranks #185 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 |
| 185 | Roanoke, VA | $27,720 | $23,658 | $25,270 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 241 metros →
Fast Food and Counter Worker salaries elsewhere in Virginia
- Lynchburg, VA — $28,220
- Harrisonburg, VA — $29,240
- Charlottesville, VA — $30,150
- Richmond, VA — $29,500
- Virginia Beach, VA — $28,780
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Roanoke, VA?
The median fast food and counter worker salary in the Roanoke, VA metro area is $27,720 a year, or about $13.33 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $26,840 and $29,230.
What is a fast food and counter worker’s take-home pay in Roanoke, VA?
On the median $27,720 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $23,658 a year ($1,971 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $780 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Roanoke, VA a good place to work as a fast food and counter worker?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $31,200. Local prices are 6.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $25,270 would in a typical U.S. city. Roanoke, VA ranks #185 of 241 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fast food and counter worker afford rent in Roanoke, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Roanoke, VA is $1,020 a month ($1,200 for two bedrooms) — 52% of a median fast food and counter worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.