Waiters and Waitresses vs. Fast Food and Counter Workers: Who Earns More?
Waiters and Waitresses out-earn Fast Food and Counter Workers by $4K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Waiters and Waitresses land at $35,230 and Fast Food and Counter Workers at $31,200. The education gap is real: waiters and waitress programs typically require no formal educational credential, while fast food and counter worker programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Waiters and Waitresses is Hawaii ($62,390); for Fast Food and Counter Workers it's California ($42,280).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Waiters and Waitresses median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Waiters and Waitresses or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Waiters and Waitresses earn more nationally. The median is $35,230 for Waiters and Waitresses versus $31,200 for Fast Food and Counter Workers, a difference of $4K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Waiters and Waitresses or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Fast Food and Counter Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 6.1% projected growth, compared to -0.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Waiters and Waitresses or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Waiters and Waitresses typically requires no formal educational credential. Fast Food and Counter Workers requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Waiters and Waitresses get paid the most?
Hawaii is the top-paying state for Waiters and Waitresses at $62,390/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Waiters and Waitresses vs. Fast Food and Counter Workers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Hawaii, Waiters and Waitresses earn $62,390 vs. $35,250 for Fast Food and Counter Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.