Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary in Salem, OR
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median $34,520 a year — 11% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $27,726 take-home, or $2,310 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fast food and counter worker salary in Salem, OR. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,962
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,140
- Medicare (1.45%)$501
- Oregon income tax$2,191
- Take-home pay$27,726
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 8.75% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Fast Food and Counter Worker pay by experience in Salem, OR
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,220 | $15.01 | $25,363 | $2,114 |
| 25th percentile | $31,670 | $15.23 | $25,685 | $2,140 |
| Median (50th) | $34,520 | $16.60 | $27,726 | $2,310 |
| 75th percentile | $36,290 | $17.45 | $28,993 | $2,416 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,320 | $20.83 | $34,027 | $2,836 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Oregon resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,520 buys in Salem, OR
Prices in Salem, OR are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.10× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fast food and counter worker's $27,726 take-home pay has the buying power of $26,750 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Salem, OR 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
Salem, OR ranks #97 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 |
| 97 | Salem, OR | $34,520 | $27,726 | $26,750 |
*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 Oregon
- Bend, OR — $35,460
- Medford, OR — $34,140
- Portland, OR — $35,620
- Eugene, OR — $33,990
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Salem, OR?
The median fast food and counter worker salary in the Salem, OR metro area is $34,520 a year, or about $16.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,670 and $36,290.
What is a fast food and counter worker’s take-home pay in Salem, OR?
On the median $34,520 salary, a single filer living in Oregon takes home about $27,726 a year ($2,310 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,191 in Oregon taxes in 2026.
Is Salem, OR a good place to work as a fast food and counter worker?
Pay here is 11% above the national median of $31,200. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $26,750 would in a typical U.S. city. Salem, OR ranks #97 of 241 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fast food and counter worker afford rent in Salem, OR?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Salem, OR is $1,201 a month ($1,560 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%.