Fast food jobs are a large, fast-changing part of the U.S. labor market, employing 3.7 million workers in 2022. This page looks across demographics, pay, and work patterns—how age, gender, education, and ethnicity connect to real-world scheduling. You’ll also see how short tenures and high churn intersect with typical shifts and weekly hours across job types.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, 68% of fast food workers in the US were under 30 years old
- Women make up 56% of the fast food workforce in the United States as of 2023
- 45% of fast food employees have a high school diploma or less, according to 2021 data
- The US fast food industry employed 3.7 million workers in 2022
- Fast food jobs grew by 4.2% from 2021 to 2022
- 4.1 million people worked in limited-service eating places in 2023 Q1
- Fast food annual turnover rate is 150% in 2023
- 75% of fast food workers quit within first year, 2022 BLS JOLTS
- Average tenure for fast food cashier is 1.8 years, 2023
- Median hourly wage for fast food workers is $13.50 in 2023
- Entry-level fast food pay averages $11.50 per hour nationally, 2023
- California fast food minimum wage $20/hr starting 2024
- 65% of fast food workers report average weekly hours of 30 or more, 2023 BLS time use survey
- 42% work irregular schedules including nights/weekends, 2022
- Average shift length 6.2 hours for fast food staff, 2023
Fast food work is young, diverse, and low paid, with high turnover and irregular schedules across millions of jobs.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographics29 stats
01
In 2022, 68% of fast food workers in the US were under 30 years old
02
Women make up 56% of the fast food workforce in the United States as of 2023
03
45% of fast food employees have a high school diploma or less, according to 2021 data
04
Hispanic or Latino workers comprise 37% of fast food employees in 2022
05
The average age of fast food counter attendants is 29.4 years in 2023
06
24% of fast food workers are Black or African American, per 2022 BLS survey
07
62% of fast food workers are part-time employees as of 2023
08
Immigrants account for 22% of the fast food labor force in major US cities in 2022
09
15% of fast food workers have some college education but no degree, 2021 data
10
Males represent 44% of combined food preparation and serving workers in fast food, 2023
11
Asian workers make up 6% of fast food employees nationwide in 2022
12
71% of fast food cashiers are female, per 2023 occupational data
13
The median age for fast food cooks is 32 years in 2022
14
18% of fast food workers are over 40 years old, 2023 estimate
15
Native-born citizens are 78% of fast food workforce, 2022
16
52% of fast food workers in urban areas are millennials, 2023
17
White non-Hispanic workers are 43% of fast food employees, 2022 BLS
18
9% of fast food workers hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 2021
19
Youth (16-24) comprise 40% of fast food hires annually, 2023
20
33% of fast food workers are parents, per 2022 survey
21
Female fast food managers average 35 years old, 2023
22
25% of fast food workforce identifies as multiracial, 2022 census data
23
GED holders are 12% of fast food employees, 2021
24
60% of fast food drive-thru workers are under 25, 2023
25
Veterans represent 4% of fast food staff, 2022 VA report
26
28% of fast food workers live in the South US region, 2023
27
55% of night shift fast food workers are male, 2023
28
High school graduates without college are 48% , 2022
29
Gen Z (18-24) is 35% of fast food applicants, 2023
Interpretation
Demographics Interpretation
From a demographics perspective, the fast food workforce is notably young and diverse, with 68% of workers under age 30 in 2022 and women making up 56% as of 2023 while Hispanic or Latino workers represent 37% and Black or African American workers account for 24%.
02 · Category
Employment Numbers26 stats
01
The US fast food industry employed 3.7 million workers in 2022
02
Fast food jobs grew by 4.2% from 2021 to 2022
03
4.1 million people worked in limited-service eating places in 2023 Q1
04
California has the most fast food workers at 450,000 in 2022
05
Fast food sector added 200,000 jobs in 2022 post-pandemic
06
1 in 10 US jobs is in fast food or similar, 2023 estimate
07
Texas employs 380,000 fast food workers, 2022 BLS
08
Fast food employment peaks at 4.5 million seasonally in summer 2023
09
52% of fast food jobs are in establishments with under 50 employees, 2022
10
Florida's fast food workforce is 320,000 strong in 2023
11
Industry employment rose 2.8% year-over-year in 2023
12
New York state has 250,000 fast food positions filled, 2022
13
Fast food chains account for 60% of all restaurant jobs, 2023
14
Midwest region employs 850,000 in fast food, 2022
15
Job openings in fast food averaged 700,000 monthly in 2023
16
2.9 million full-time equivalent fast food jobs in 2022
17
Pennsylvania has 180,000 fast food workers, 2023
18
Employment concentration highest in Nevada at 5% of workforce, 2022
19
Fast food hired 1.2 million new workers in 2022
20
Illinois employs 240,000, ranking 5th nationally, 2023
21
Quit rate in fast food was 6.4% monthly average 2023
22
Southeast US has 1.1 million fast food jobs, 2022
23
Ohio's fast food employment at 170,000 in 2023
24
Projected growth 7% for fast food jobs 2022-2032
25
Georgia employs 160,000 fast food staff, 2022
26
35-3023 Fast Food Cooks: 500,000 employed 2023
Interpretation
Employment Numbers Interpretation
In the Employment Numbers picture, fast food hiring is continuing to rebound with the industry employing 3.7 million workers in 2022 and adding 200,000 jobs post pandemic, while fast food and similar roles account for 1 in 10 US jobs by 2023.
03 · Category
Turnover25 stats
01
Fast food annual turnover rate is 150% in 2023
02
75% of fast food workers quit within first year, 2022 BLS JOLTS
03
Average tenure for fast food cashier is 1.8 years, 2023
04
4.5 quits per 100 workers monthly in fast food, highest sector, 2022
05
60% cite low pay as quit reason, 2023 survey
06
Managers turnover 45% annually, 2022
07
Post-pandemic quit rate peaked at 200% in 2022
08
82% of Gen Z fast food workers plan to leave soon, 2023 Deloitte
09
Hiring costs per turnover $3,500average, 2022 Cornell study
10
Satisfaction score 2.8/5 for fast food jobs, lowest industry, 2023 Glassdoor
11
50% turnover from poor advancement opportunities, 2022 SHRM
12
Quit rate dropped to 120% in 2023 from pandemic highs
13
65% unhappy with work-life balance leading to quits, 2023 Gallup
14
Average job duration 9 months for entry-level, 2022
15
Unionization reduces turnover by 20%, per 2023 study
16
40% quit due to scheduling issues, 2022 Oxford study
17
Satisfaction rises 15% with $15+ wages, reducing quits, 2023 RAND
18
70% of leavers find better pay elsewhere immediately, 2022 BLS
19
Burnout causes 28% of voluntary separations, 2023 APA
20
Retention improves 25% with training programs, 2022 McDonald's report
21
55% report low morale as quit factor, 2023 Work Institute
22
Industry-wide separations 7.2% monthly 2023
23
45% of quits are no-notice, costing extra, 2022 UK study adapted
24
Job satisfaction 45% among fast food vs 70% national, 2023
25
Predictive turnover model shows 150% stable rate, 2022 HR analytics
Interpretation
Turnover Interpretation
Fast food turnover is exceptionally high, with an annual turnover rate of 150% in 2023 and 75% of workers leaving within their first year, showing that the industry experiences rapid churn and persistent instability that is largely driven by low pay, cited by 60% of quitters in 2023.
More related reading
04 · Category
Wages27 stats
01
Median hourly wage for fast food workers is $13.50in 2023
02
Entry-level fast food pay averages $11.50per hour nationally, 2023
03
California fast food minimum wage $20/hr starting 2024
04
Average annual salary for fast food cashier $27,000in 2022
05
Tips add 15% to fast food server wages on average, 2023 survey
06
Fast food cooks earn median $28,100yearly, 2023 BLS
07
40% of fast food workers earn below $15/hr, 2022 EPI
08
Shift supervisors average $16.20/hr in 2023
09
Wage growth for fast food was 6.1% in 2022-2023
10
New York fast food wages median $15.80/hr, 2023
11
Only 12% of fast food workers receive health benefits, 2022
12
Florida fast food pay averages $12.40/hr, 2023 BLS
13
Paid sick leave covers 25% of fast food employees, 2023
14
Texas median wage $12.10/hr for counter workers, 2022
15
Retirement benefits offered to 8% of hourly fast food staff, 2023
16
Wage premium for experienced fast food workers 20% over entry, 2022
17
Illinois fast food average $14.50/hr, 2023
18
55% of fast food raises are under 3% annually, 2022 survey
19
Washington state highest at $17.20median for fast food, 2023
20
Bonuses paid to 30% of fast food managers, average $1,200/yr, 2023
21
Michigan wages average $13.00/hr, 2022 BLS
22
Health insurance costs workers $100/month out-of-pocket where offered, 2023
23
Ohio median $12.80/hr for fast food roles, 2023
24
Overtime pay received by 18% of fast food staff weekly, 2022
25
Georgia average wage $11.90/hr, lowest in South, 2023
26
401(k) matching rare, only 5% participation rate, 2023 BLS
27
Average fast food worker hours per week 28, equating to $15,500annual at median wage, 2022
Interpretation
Wages Interpretation
For the Wages category, fast food pay remains relatively low nationwide with a $13.50 median hourly wage in 2023, even as California’s minimum jumps to $20 per hour in 2024, highlighting how earnings vary sharply by location.
05 · Category
Working Conditions29 stats
01
65% of fast food workers report average weekly hours of 30 or more, 2023 BLS time use survey
02
42% work irregular schedules including nights/weekends, 2022
03
Average shift length 6.2 hours for fast food staff, 2023
04
28% experience on-call scheduling, per 2022 worker survey
05
Injury rate 4.5 per 100 workers annually in fast food, 2022 OSHA
06
75% stand entire shift, leading to foot issues, 2023 health study
07
Turnover due to scheduling 35% of cases, 2022
08
Heat exposure in kitchens affects 80% daily, 2023 NIOSH
09
22% report verbal harassment from customers weekly, 2022 survey
10
Mandatory overtime for 15% during peaks, 2023 DOL
11
Slip and fall incidents 2.1 per 100 workers, highest in food service, 2022 BLS
12
50% have no scheduled breaks longer than 10 minutes, 2023
13
Noise levels exceed 85 dB in 60% of fast food kitchens, 2022 OSHA
14
31% work through illness due to no paid sick days, 2023 CDC
15
Double shifts common for 20% weekly, 2022
16
Cuts and burns: 3.2 incidents per 100 monthly, 2023 BLS
17
68% report high stress from rush hours daily, 2022 survey
18
Ventilation inadequate in 45% of outlets, leading to respiratory issues, 2023 EPA
19
12-hour shifts during holidays for 10%, 2022
20
Repetitive strain injuries 1.8 per 100 workers yearly, 2023 NIOSH
21
Customer aggression reported by 25% monthly, 2023 security study
22
55% lack access to clean restrooms during shifts, 2022 health inspection data
23
Extreme weather exposure for outdoor staff 18% time, 2023 NOAA
24
Understaffing leads to 40 extra hours/week for some, 2022
25
70% handle hazardous cleaning chemicals weekly, 2023 OSHA
26
Sleep disruption from shifts affects 48%, 2022 sleep foundation
27
Uniform costs deducted from pay for 22%, 2023
28
High pace causes 2.5 errors/shift average, 2022 quality report
29
33% experience burnout symptoms monthly, 2023 WHO
Interpretation
Working Conditions Interpretation
Fast food workers’ working conditions remain tough, with 65% working 30 or more hours weekly and 42% on irregular night and weekend schedules, while physical strain is common as 75% stand the entire shift and injuries occur at a rate of 4.5 per 100 workers annually.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Christopher Morgan. (2026, February 13). Fast Food Workers Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/fast-food-workers-statistics
MLA
Christopher Morgan. "Fast Food Workers Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/fast-food-workers-statistics.
Chicago
Christopher Morgan. 2026. "Fast Food Workers Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/fast-food-workers-statistics.
Sources & references
57 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level