Fast Food and Counter Workers vs Home Health and Personal Care Aides: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Home Health and Personal Care Aides professionals earn $4,420 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 14.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $38,800 compared to $44,190 for Home Health and Personal Care Aides.
Salary Range Comparison
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$25,600 – $44,190
$22,620$44,190
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,620 | $25,600 | $-2,980 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,150 | $30,370 | $-3,220 |
| Median (50th) | $30,480 | $34,900 | $-4,420 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,440 | $37,980 | $-2,540 |
| 90th Percentile | $38,800 | $44,190 | $-5,390 |
| Mean (Average) | $31,350 | $34,990 | $-3,640 |
Employment Numbers
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Home Health and Personal Care Aides
3,988,140
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Home Health and Personal Care Aides
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,690 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $44,320 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $39,790 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $39,520 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $38,360 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Fast Food and Counter Workers or Home Health and Personal Care Aides?
Home Health and Personal Care Aides professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $4,420 (14.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Home Health and Personal Care Aides?
Home Health and Personal Care Aides salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $44,190 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,900.
How many Fast Food and Counter Workers and Home Health and Personal Care Aides jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers positions and 3,988,140 Home Health and Personal Care Aides positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Home Health and Personal Care Aides to Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Fast Food and Counter Workers has a median salary of $30,480 while Home Health and Personal Care Aides earns $34,900. 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