SalaryByCity

Fast Food and Counter Workers vs Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Fast Food and Counter Workers

$30,480

Median annual salary

3,780,930 employed nationally

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

$62,340

Median annual salary

632,430 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals earn $31,860 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 104.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $38,800 compared to $80,510 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses.

Salary Range Comparison

Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$47,960 – $80,510
$22,620$80,510

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileFast Food and Counter WorkersLicensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesDifference
10th Percentile$22,620$47,960$-25,340
25th Percentile$27,150$55,220$-28,070
Median (50th)$30,480$62,340$-31,860
75th Percentile$35,440$73,160$-37,720
90th Percentile$38,800$80,510$-41,710
Mean (Average)$31,350$64,150$-32,800

Employment Numbers

Fast Food and Counter Workers

3,780,930

employed nationwide

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

632,430

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Fast Food and Counter Workers

CityMedian
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 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$92,840
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$90,810
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$80,480
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$79,460
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$78,870

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Fast Food and Counter Workers or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $31,860 (104.5% 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 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salaries range from $47,960 (10th percentile) to $80,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,340.
How many Fast Food and Counter Workers and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers positions and 632,430 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses 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 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earns $62,340. 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