Data Scientists 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?
Data Scientists professionals earn $82,110 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 269.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $38,800 for Fast Food and Counter Workers.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
$22,620$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $22,620 | +$41,030 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $27,150 | +$55,480 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $30,480 | +$82,110 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $35,440 | +$120,370 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $38,800 | +$155,610 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $31,350 | +$93,240 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
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: Data Scientists or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $82,110 (269.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists 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 Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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