SalaryByCity

Fast Food and Counter Workers vs Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists: 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

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

$76,950

Median annual salary

861,140 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists professionals earn $46,470 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 152.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $38,800 compared to $144,610 for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists.

Salary Range Comparison

Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$42,070 – $144,610
$22,620$144,610

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileFast Food and Counter WorkersMarket Research Analysts and Marketing SpecialistsDifference
10th Percentile$22,620$42,070$-19,450
25th Percentile$27,150$56,220$-29,070
Median (50th)$30,480$76,950$-46,470
75th Percentile$35,440$104,870$-69,430
90th Percentile$38,800$144,610$-105,810
Mean (Average)$31,350$86,480$-55,130

Employment Numbers

Fast Food and Counter Workers

3,780,930

employed nationwide

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

861,140

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 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$139,140
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$124,840
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$102,390
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$97,360
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$95,930

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Fast Food and Counter Workers or Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists?
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $46,470 (152.5% 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 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists?
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists salaries range from $42,070 (10th percentile) to $144,610 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,950.
How many Fast Food and Counter Workers and Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers positions and 861,140 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists 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 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists earns $76,950. 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