Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $29,140 a year ($14.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,400 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $28,390. There are 25 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $29,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,870 | $10.51 |
| 25th percentile | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| Median | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| 75th percentile | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Average (mean) | $29,940 | $14.39 |
Half of fast food and counter workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,428.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,214.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,120.77 |
| Weekly | $560.38 |
| Hourly | $14.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 4,810 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $29,450 | 15,580 |
| Ames, IA | $29,220 | 1,620 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $29,090 | 2,060 |
| Iowa City, IA | $28,760 | 2,890 |
| Dubuque, IA | $28,680 | 1,600 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $28,280 | 3,590 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $27,820 | 2,500 |
Highest-paying states for fast food and counter workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $42,280 |
| Washington | $37,710 |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 |
| Colorado | $36,270 |
| Vermont | $36,030 |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 |
| Connecticut | $35,380 |
| Hawaii | $35,250 |
| New York | $35,250 |
| Oregon | $35,050 |
See Fast Food and Counter Workers pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $20,410 | $9.81 |
| Bartender | $22,340 | $10.74 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,790 | $16.25 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,650 | $20.50 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Dishwasher | $30,450 | $14.64 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,270 | $13.59 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,730 | $13.33 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,120 | $15.92 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $34,290 | $16.49 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter workers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $29,140 a year, or $14.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $36,400 a year. The top 25% earn $35,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,870 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $27,580 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 10,060 fast food and counter workers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.