Mid-Level

Counter Attendant

The service counter worker — serving customers at counters for food, retail, or service operations.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
R
E
S
A
I
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Realistichands-on, practical
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Counter Attendants
Employment concentration · ~400 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Counter Attendant

As a Counter Attendant, you staff a service counter, helping customers with orders, purchases, or service requests. You might work at a deli counter, bakery, service desk, or similar location. The role combines customer service with operational tasks specific to your counter.

Your day involves serving customers at your counter, preparing orders, maintaining your area, and processing transactions. The specific tasks depend on your counter type — a deli attendant slices meat, a bakery attendant packages pastries, a service counter handles returns.

The challenge is managing customer flow while maintaining quality and your work area. During busy periods, multiple customers need attention. You need to work efficiently while being friendly and accurate.

RelationshipsModerate
SupportModerate
IndependenceLower
Working ConditionsLower
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Counter typeProduct/servicePreparation involvementVolumeHours
Counter work varies by counter type. Food counters involve preparation; service counters handle customer issues. Volume varies by location and time. Some counters are specialized; others handle various requests.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Counter Attendants (SOC 35-3023.00, 41-2021.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Also appears in: Food Service
Exploring the Counter Attendant career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Counter-specific skills
Expertise in your area
2
Customer service
Serving customers well
3
Efficiency
Handling volume
What type of counter is this?
What specific skills are needed?
What are the typical hours?
What training is provided?
What advancement opportunities exist?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$23K–$62K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
4.2M
U.S. Employment
+4.65%
10yr Growth
950K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$64K$61K$58K$55K$52K201920202021202220232024$52K$64K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningService OrientationSpeakingReading ComprehensionSocial PerceptivenessCritical ThinkingMonitoringActive ListeningWritingTime Management
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
35-3023.0041-2021.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.