← Hospitality, Food & Personal Services
Fast Food and Counter Workers
SOC 35-3023 · Hospitality, Food & Personal Services
jobs in Hamilton County, 2026
estimated openings each year
median pay in Hamilton County
projected job growth
Source: Lightcast Q1 2026 occupation snapshot, Hamilton County, IN.
What this job pays in the Indianapolis area
Half of workers earn more than the median, half earn less. The range below runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
| Point in the range | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22,870 | $11.00 |
| 25th percentile | $28,410 | $13.66 |
| Median (middle) | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| 75th percentile | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| 90th percentile | $35,980 | $17.30 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release, Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood MSA. These are metro figures; BLS does not publish a Hamilton County wage by occupation. "Not published" means the federal source suppressed or top-coded that value.
What you need to get started
Most common education: No high school diploma needed for most jobs.
How much preparation: Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma and a few months of learning on the job.
Source: O*NET 30.2 database, U.S. Department of Labor (pinned vintage; survey rows dated 2021 to 2024).
Where this role can lead
Occupations that ask for much the same skills and typically pay more, with how pay compares. These are skills matches, not a record of individual people moving.
| Occupation | Match score | Monthly postings | Typical pay change |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | 92 of 100 | 199.6 | +$12,923 per year (about +45%) |
| Food Preparation Workers | 92 of 100 | 148.2 | +$83 per year |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 91 of 100 | 158.8 | +$4,683 per year (about +16%) |
| Bartenders | 89 of 100 | 70.8 | +$7,161 per year (about +25%) |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 88 of 100 | 12.7 | -$142 per year |
| Cashiers | 88 of 100 | 149.3 | +$456 per year |
| Food Service Managers | 85 of 100 | 242.8 | +$22,785 per year (about +80%) |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | 85 of 100 | 107.5 | +$1,449 per year (about +5%) |
Common paths into this role
Occupations whose skills line up with Fast Food and Counter Workers and that typically pay less, so they are a common place to build from. Matched on skills, not on anyone's recorded move.
| Occupation | Match score | Monthly postings | Typical pay change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Workers | 92 of 100 | 148.2 | +$83 per year |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 88 of 100 | 12.7 | -$142 per year |
| Cashiers | 88 of 100 | 149.3 | +$456 per year |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | 85 of 100 | 107.5 | +$1,449 per year (about +5%) |
| Bakers | 81 of 100 | 32.4 | +$3,523 per year (about +12%) |
| Dishwashers | 79 of 100 | 66.2 | -$713 per year |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | 79 of 100 | 69.1 | +$2,333 per year (about +8%) |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 74 of 100 | 161.8 | +$3,827 per year (about +13%) |
Recommended next moves
Moves with real local demand and a meaningful pay gain.
| Move to | Pay gain per year | Monthly postings |
|---|---|---|
| Food Service Managers | +$22,785 (about +80%) | 242.8 |
Source: Lightcast Career Pathways, Q1 2026, Indianapolis MSA (network built July 2026 from 64 exports).
Local training that can get you there
- The Pursuit Institute (TPI)
K-12 CTE
K-12 CTE consortium serving all 6 Hamilton County school corps. 9 career pathways, 15 TPI-managed programs, 450+ courses. Advanced manufacturing, healthcare, business/finance, education, agriculture, info tech, hospitality, engineering. - InvestOnward
Workforce Training
Workforce training and re-entry support. Entry-level trades, construction, logistics, manufacturing, hospitality, customer service. - InvestAbility
Disability Workforce
Supported employment for individuals with disabilities: cross-cutting across entry-level service, admin, retail, and production roles. - Re-Entry Workforce Initiative
Justice-Involved Workforce
Workforce re-entry for individuals exiting jail, in SUD recovery, or under Community Corrections supervision. Funded by Hamilton County Commissioners + Council.
Source: IHC program registry, curated April 2026. Programs decide their own eligibility and enrollment.
Where does this leave you?
Reading about a job is one thing. Whether you can get it, what it would pay you, and who near you hires for it are another. Pick whichever of these is true and we will work it out.
The first prices your experience and shows everywhere it could take you. The second shows the jobs people hold before moving into this one. Both are free and neither asks for a CV.