Fast Food and Counter Workers vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $70,270 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 230.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $38,800 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$22,620$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,620 | $59,830 | $-37,210 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,150 | $76,950 | $-49,800 |
| Median (50th) | $30,480 | $100,750 | $-70,270 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,440 | $131,660 | $-96,220 |
| 90th Percentile | $38,800 | $165,790 | $-126,990 |
| Mean (Average) | $31,350 | $108,100 | $-76,750 |
Employment Numbers
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
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 Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Fast Food and Counter Workers or Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $70,270 (230.5% 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 Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Fast Food and Counter Workers and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management 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 Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. 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