Fast Food and Counter Worker salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A fast food and counter worker in California earns a median of $42,280 a year ($20.33/hour equivalent), 35.5% above the national median of $31,200. California ranks #1 of 51 states. About 449,840 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $34,928 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $1,343 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,626.15
- Federal income tax
- −$111.29
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$100.82
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$23.58
- California income tax
- −$25.92
- CA SDI
- −$21.14
- Take-home pay
- $1,343.40
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $42,280
- Federal
- $2,894
- FICA
- $3,234
- State + local
- $1,224
- Net
- $34,928
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 4.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | California | $42,280 |
| #2 | Washington | $37,710 |
| #3 | District of Columbia | $37,430 |
| #4 | Colorado | $36,270 |
| #5 | Vermont | $36,030 |
| #49 | Oklahoma | $23,430 |
| #50 | Louisiana | $22,800 |
| #51 | Mississippi | $22,610 |
See the national fast food and counter worker salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Fast Food and Counter Workers (SOC 35-3023), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make in California?
The median salary is $42,280 a year and the average is $41,680 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for fast food and counter workers?
California ranks #1 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 36% above the national median of $31,200.
What is $42,280 after taxes in California?
About $34,928 a year ($1,343 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.