Wages for counter workers vary by task. Wages may be higher in large cities or in states with a higher minimum wage. Some counter workers earn tips. Tip amounts vary widely depending on the type of restaurant and how expensive it is. Tips usually range between 10 to 20 percent of the total bill. In some restaurants, tips are shared with other employees, such as the kitchen staff.
Benefits vary by employer. Free meals and uniforms are usually provided. Full-time employees may receive benefits such as health insurance, sick leave, and vacation time.
Fast food and counter workers (SOC 35-3023)
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $13.64 | $14.30 | $15.05 |
| Yearly | $28,363 | $29,731 | $31,312 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $13.43 | $13.74 | $14.42 |
| Yearly | $27,927 | $28,598 | $30,007 | |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area | Hourly | $13.38 | $13.82 | $14.31 |
| Yearly | $27,824 | $28,737 | $29,766 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $14.08 | $14.49 | $16.69 |
| Yearly | $29,274 | $30,140 | $34,718 | |
| Decatur Area | Hourly | $13.30 | $13.74 | $14.23 |
| Yearly | $27,650 | $28,585 | $29,591 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $14.16 | $14.50 | $15.34 |
| Yearly | $29,449 | $30,155 | $31,911 | |
| Edwardsville Area | Hourly | $13.38 | $13.85 | $14.30 |
| Yearly | $27,833 | $28,809 | $29,730 | |
| Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area | Hourly | $12.85 | $13.59 | $14.18 |
| Yearly | $26,716 | $28,271 | $29,505 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $13.36 | $14.07 | $14.56 |
| Yearly | $27,775 | $29,264 | $30,275 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $14.15 | $14.42 | $16.93 |
| Yearly | $29,436 | $30,002 | $35,229 | |
| McHenry County | Hourly | $14.15 | $14.38 | $15.24 |
| Yearly | $29,436 | $29,910 | $31,691 | |
| Mt. Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area | Hourly | $12.54 | $13.61 | $14.25 |
| Yearly | $26,088 | $28,296 | $29,629 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $12.94 | $13.69 | $14.19 |
| Yearly | $26,915 | $28,469 | $29,524 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $13.15 | $13.71 | $14.11 |
| Yearly | $27,349 | $28,513 | $29,360 | |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area | Hourly | $12.91 | $13.61 | $14.33 |
| Yearly | $26,839 | $28,314 | $29,815 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $12.54 | $13.51 | $14.28 |
| Yearly | $26,088 | $28,105 | $29,693 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $13.49 | $13.88 | $14.19 |
| Yearly | $28,060 | $28,864 | $29,533 | |
| Shawnee National Forest Area | Hourly | $13.20 | $13.64 | $14.30 |
| Yearly | $27,468 | $28,374 | $29,736 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $13.41 | $14.00 | $14.37 |
| Yearly | $27,886 | $29,117 | $29,893 | |
| St. Louis-Belleville Area | Hourly | $13.38 | $13.77 | $14.33 |
| Yearly | $27,833 | $28,642 | $29,804 | |
| Vermilion County | Hourly | $12.79 | $13.72 | $14.19 |
| Yearly | $26,611 | $28,535 | $29,519 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $14.16 | $14.47 | $15.24 |
| Yearly | $29,451 | $30,082 | $31,691 | |
| United States | Hourly | $11.06 | $13.43 | $15.13 |
| Yearly | $23,010 | $27,930 | $31,480 | |