Fast Food and Counter Workers vs Pharmacy Technicians: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Pharmacy Technicians professionals earn $12,980 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 42.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $38,800 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.
Salary Range Comparison
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$22,620$59,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Pharmacy Technicians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,620 | $35,100 | $-12,480 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,150 | $36,920 | $-9,770 |
| Median (50th) | $30,480 | $43,460 | $-12,980 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,440 | $48,580 | $-13,140 |
| 90th Percentile | $38,800 | $59,450 | $-20,650 |
| Mean (Average) | $31,350 | $44,800 | $-13,450 |
Employment Numbers
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
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 Pharmacy Technicians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $70,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $61,990 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $59,960 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $55,810 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $54,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Fast Food and Counter Workers or Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy Technicians professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $12,980 (42.6% 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 Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy Technicians salaries range from $35,100 (10th percentile) to $59,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,460.
How many Fast Food and Counter Workers and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians 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 Pharmacy Technicians earns $43,460. 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