Average fast-food wages range from $7.37 to $10.53 an hour at major quick-service chains, according to Business Insider. Based on data from Glassdoor, the best-paying of the 13 chains checked was In-N-Out Burger, while the worst-paying was Taco Bell (NYSE:YUM).
The numbers stand in contrast to the demands of fast-food workers who are striking this week against major chains in several cities. Those workers are seeking a $15-per-hour wage, as well as the right to form a union.
That $15 wage is well above the current federal minimum wage of $7.25, as well as higher than the $12.50 special minimum wage that Washington, D.C., recently passed for big-box retailers. Walmart (NYSE:WMT) has threatened to scrap as many as six new Washington stores if the $12.50 wage is signed into law. The highest local minimum wage for all retailers is $10.55 in San Francisco.
However, convenience-store chain QuikTrip starts employees at $20 per hour. Costco (NASDAQ:COST) and Trader Joe's also pay far more than industry averages.
The average pay for crew workers at those 13 chains, listed from lowest to highest:
- Taco Bell: $7.37
- Wendy's: $7.39
- Burger King: $7.72
- Dunkin' Donuts: $7.82
- McDonald's: $7.81
- Dairy Queen: $7.92
- Chick-Fil-A: $7.96
- Subway: $7.98
- Jamba Juice: $8.18
- Noodles & Company: $8.29
- Panera Bread: $8.36
- Chipotle: $8.57
- In-N-Out Burger: $10.53
For more:
- See this Business Insider story
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