Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary in Worcester, MA
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median $34,610 a year — 11% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,479 take-home, or $2,373 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fast food and counter worker salary in Worcester, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,973
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,146
- Medicare (1.45%)$502
- Massachusetts income tax$1,511
- Take-home pay$28,479
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
Fast Food and Counter Worker pay by experience in Worcester, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $25,909 | $2,159 |
| 25th percentile | $33,440 | $16.08 | $27,597 | $2,300 |
| Median (50th) | $34,610 | $16.64 | $28,479 | $2,373 |
| 75th percentile | $35,990 | $17.30 | $29,518 | $2,460 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,010 | $18.27 | $31,041 | $2,587 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,610 buys in Worcester, MA
Prices in Worcester, MA are 2.5% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fast food and counter worker's $28,479 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,778 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 Worcester, MA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.01).
Best-paying cities for fast food and counter workers, adjusted for cost of living
Worcester, MA ranks #113 of 386 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanford, CA | $42,060 | $34,757 | $34,205 |
| 2 | El Centro, CA | $38,840 | $32,340 | $33,980 |
| 3 | Modesto, CA | $42,630 | $35,184 | $33,796 |
| 4 | Vallejo, CA | $44,110 | $36,295 | $33,458 |
| 5 | Yuba City, CA | $42,040 | $34,742 | $33,331 |
| 6 | Santa Rosa, CA | $43,610 | $35,920 | $33,326 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $44,570 | $36,640 | $33,182 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $42,860 | $35,357 | $33,146 |
| 113 | Worcester, MA | $34,610 | $28,479 | $27,778 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 386 metros →
Fast Food and Counter Worker salaries elsewhere in Massachusetts
- Barnstable Town, MA — $36,100
- Pittsfield, MA — $34,680
- Springfield, MA — $34,130
- Amherst Town, MA — $34,350
- Boston, MA — $36,290
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Worcester, MA?
The median fast food and counter worker salary in the Worcester, MA metro area is $34,610 a year, or about $16.64 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,440 and $35,990.
What is a fast food and counter worker’s take-home pay in Worcester, MA?
On the median $34,610 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $28,479 a year ($2,373 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,511 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Worcester, MA 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 2.5% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,778 would in a typical U.S. city. Worcester, MA ranks #113 of 386 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fast food and counter worker afford rent in Worcester, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Worcester, MA is $1,558 a month ($1,997 for two bedrooms) — 66% 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 Worcester, MA
- Chef and Head Cook — $64,620
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $46,780
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,500
- Cooks, Restaurant — $44,250
- Waiter and Waitress — $36,840
- Dishwasher — $36,660
- Food Preparation Worker — $36,550
- Bartender — $35,950
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $35,870
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $35,790
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $33,620