Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Iowa
Fast Food and Counter Workers in Iowa earn a median of $28,390 a year ($13.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 40,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,990 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $31,200. Iowa ranks 38th of 51 states for fast food and counter workers pay. There are 26 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $28,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,620 | $10.39 |
| 25th percentile | $26,150 | $12.57 |
| Median | $28,390 | $13.65 |
| 75th percentile | $33,440 | $16.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Average (mean) | $28,940 | $13.91 |
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 | $2,365.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,182.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,091.92 |
| Weekly | $545.96 |
| Hourly | $13.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $28,390 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 cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $29,140 | 10,060 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $21,000 | $10.10 |
| Bartender | $21,720 | $10.44 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,110 | $14.48 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,760 | $18.64 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,510 | $13.71 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| Dishwasher | $29,300 | $14.09 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,210 | $13.56 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,210 | $13.56 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $34,090 | $16.39 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $33,480 | $16.10 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in Iowa is $28,390 a year, or $13.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in Iowa earn at least $35,990 a year. The top 25% earn $33,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,620 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $26,150 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Iowa?
About 40,290 fast food and counter workers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.