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.
Fast Food and Counter Workers
SOC: 35-3023 O*NET: 35-3023.00
Median Salary
$30,480
per year
Job Growth
📈 6.1%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
904.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1
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.
What does a Fast Food and Counter Workers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$22,620
10th percentile
Early Career
$27,150
25th percentile
Median
$30,480
50th percentile
Experienced
$35,440
75th percentile
Top Earners
$38,800
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$22,620
25th
$27,150
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$30,480
Mean: $31,350
75th
$35,440
90th
$38,800
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $16,180 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $27,150 and $35,440
- •Salary spread is 27.2% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 3,780,930 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:3,796,000
Top Industries
Food Services and Drinking Places87.2%
Restaurants and Other Eating Places83.1%
Retail Trade5.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+6.1%
Annual Openings:904,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)3,796,000
Current
2034 (Projected)4,029,200
+6.1%
+233,200
Employment Change
+6.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
438,950 jobs$37,0100.99x
Texas
410,760 jobs$27,0001.21x
Florida
241,010 jobs$27,9901.00x
New York
183,810 jobs$35,2700.79x
Ohio
167,650 jobs$28,1001.24x
Georgia
151,240 jobs$26,3101.27x
Illinois
139,090 jobs$31,9000.94x
Pennsylvania
131,650 jobs$28,4900.89x
Michigan
114,880 jobs$28,8701.07x
Virginia
103,390 jobs$29,0601.04x
Indiana
101,500 jobs$28,2901.30x
Washington
94,830 jobs$36,8201.09x
New Jersey
86,980 jobs$33,2900.83x
Arizona
86,640 jobs$33,0601.11x
North Carolina
85,120 jobs$28,7600.71x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Coordination
100%
#2
Social Perceptiveness
80%
#3
Service Orientation
60%
#4
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Coordination
advanced5.0
100%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.0
80%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Listening
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Coordination
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers80%
4 shared skills
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers75%
3 shared skills
Funeral Attendants67%
4 shared skills
Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers67%
4 shared skills
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service67%
4 shared skills
Waiters and Waitresses67%
4 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Social Perceptiveness
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Fast Food and Counter Workers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Communication & Coordination (1)General Responsibilities (14)Operations & Execution (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)
1
Communicate with customers regarding orders, comments, and complaints.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination100% perform100%
2
Accept payment from customers, and make change as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Scrub and polish counters, steam tables, and other equipment, and clean glasses, dishes, and fountain equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping, mopping, and washing dishes, to keep equipment and facilities sanitary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Balance receipts and payments in cash registers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Request and record customer orders, and compute bills, using cash registers, multi-counting machines, or pencil and paper.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Serve food, beverages, or desserts to customers in such settings as take-out counters of restaurants or lunchrooms, business or industrial establishments, hotel rooms, and cars.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Prepare daily food items, and cook simple foods and beverages, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, pizza, or coffee, using proper safety precautions and sanitary measures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Clean and organize eating, service, and kitchen areas.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Monitor and order supplies or food items, and restock as necessary to maintain inventory.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on communication & coordination activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Fast Food and Counter Workers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Fast Food and Counter Workers
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.24
Attention to Detail
ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level3.93
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.88
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.83
Concern for Others
ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level3.69
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.66
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.2
Attention to Detail
3.9
Integrity
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Concern for Others
3.7
Cooperation
3.7
Stress Tolerance
3.6
Self-Control
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 1
Little or No Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or less
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
Training:
Short demonstration or on-the-job training
💼 Experience Requirement
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • On-the-job training is typical
- • Tasks can be learned within a few days or weeks
- • Basic skills development
1
Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
On-the-job training is typicalTasks can be learned within a few days or weeksBasic skills development
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