This is the floor of the table, and it is meant to be. Almost anyone can start this week with no skills, no license and no money down, and that is exactly why it pays the least: the US median is $15.00 an hour, about $31k a year full-time. It is a fine first job and a real way to learn showing up, speed and customer handling. As a destination it has a hard ceiling, and ordering kiosks are already taking over part of it.
Method
- Apply anywhereChains hire constantly, often within days, with no experience required.
- Get a food handler card if your state requires itA short online course; some employers pay for it.
- Push for shift leadShift leads and assistant managers earn a few dollars more per hour.
- Use it as a launchpadThe fastest pay jump is out: a trade apprenticeship or a certification path higher up this table.
Watch out:Low pay, irregular hours, and one of the most automatable jobs on the list (kiosks, apps). Treat it as a starting level, not an endgame.
Pay, licensing and demand vary by state, city and timing. Figures are averaged and partly approximate. Skill levels are illustrative. Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 (fast food and counter workers: median $15.00/hr, mean $32,150).