Carpenters 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?
Carpenters professionals earn $28,830 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 94.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Carpenters earns $98,370 compared to $38,800 for Fast Food and Counter Workers.
Salary Range Comparison
Carpenters$38,760 – $98,370
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
$22,620$98,370
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Carpenters | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,760 | $22,620 | +$16,140 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,550 | $27,150 | +$20,400 |
| Median (50th) | $59,310 | $30,480 | +$28,830 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,620 | $35,440 | +$40,180 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,370 | $38,800 | +$59,570 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,040 | $31,350 | +$32,690 |
Employment Numbers
Carpenters
697,740
employed nationwide
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Carpenters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $80,950 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $78,090 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,100 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $76,760 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $76,510 |
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: Carpenters or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Carpenters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $28,830 (94.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Carpenters?
Carpenters salaries range from $38,760 (10th percentile) to $98,370 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,310.
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 Carpenters and Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,740 Carpenters 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 Carpenters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Carpenters has a median salary of $59,310 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