How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Santa Cruz?
$43,400a year
Median yearly pay for fast food and counter workers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $20.87 an hour or $3,617 a month.
- Hourly
- $20.87
- Vs. national median
- +39%
- Rank among cities
- 6 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 3,220
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,120Median: $43,400Highest 10%: $46,930
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,120 | $16.88 | |
| 25th | $36,530 | $17.56 | |
| Median | $43,400 | $20.87 | |
| 75th | $44,880 | $21.58 | |
| 90th | $46,930 | $22.56 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for fast food and counter workers.
| Napa, CA | $45,410 |
| San Jose, CA | $44,570 |
| Vallejo, CA | $44,110 |
| San Francisco, CA | $43,870 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $43,610 |
| Salinas, CA | $43,260 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $42,940 |
| Sacramento, CA | $42,860 |
| Modesto, CA | $42,630 |
| Oxnard, CA | $42,370 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $42,350 |
| Riverside, CA | $42,280 |
| San Diego, CA | $42,190 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $42,110 |
| Hanford, CA | $42,060 |
| Yuba City, CA | $42,040 |
| Stockton, CA | $41,740 |
| Fresno, CA | $39,480 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $39,470 |
| Redding, CA | $39,160 |
| El Centro, CA | $38,840 |
| Visalia, CA | $38,600 |
| Chico, CA | $38,210 |
| Merced, CA | $38,200 |
Related jobs in Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $59,190 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $48,220 |
| Cook | $46,850 |
| Cook | $44,560 |
| Cook | $43,630 |
| Cook | $39,140 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $39,110 |
| Food Server | $37,860 |
| Dishwasher | $37,380 |
| Bartender | $36,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $20.87 ($43,400 a year).
Do fast food and counter workers make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $43,400 against $31,200 nationally, 39% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $42,280, so Santa Cruz pays 3% more.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for fast food and counter worker pay?
6 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a fast food and counter worker make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $35,120 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,930 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.