Accountants and Auditors vs Fast Food and Counter Workers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn $51,200 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 168.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $38,800 for Fast Food and Counter Workers.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
$22,620$141,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $22,620 | +$30,160 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $27,150 | +$37,510 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $30,480 | +$51,200 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $35,440 | +$71,010 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $38,800 | +$102,620 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $31,350 | +$62,170 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Fast Food and Counter Workers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $42,660 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $40,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $38,310 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $37,650 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $36,480 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $51,200 (168.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries range from $22,620 (10th percentile) to $38,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $30,480.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Fast Food and Counter Workers to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $30,480. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS