Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn a median of $28,230 a year ($13.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,260 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,390 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay here is 2% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $28,790. There are 42 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $28,120, close to the median.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,980 | $10.57 |
| 25th percentile | $23,470 | $11.29 |
| Median | $28,230 | $13.57 |
| 75th percentile | $29,840 | $14.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,390 | $17.01 |
| Average (mean) | $28,120 | $13.52 |
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 | $2,352.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,176.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,085.77 |
| Weekly | $542.88 |
| Hourly | $13.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $28,230 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $34,630 | 97,280 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $29,720 | 30,950 |
| Kokomo, IN | $29,130 | 1,540 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $29,040 | 28,400 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $28,690 | 15,540 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $28,360 | 6,900 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $28,300 | 2,710 |
| Columbus, IN | $28,290 | 1,440 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $28,250 | 1,520 |
| Bloomington, IN | $28,230 | 2,390 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $28,140 | 4,240 |
| Evansville, IN | $27,930 | 4,470 |
| Muncie, IN | $27,560 | 2,120 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $27,020 | 2,700 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,420 | $13.67 |
| Bartender | $22,680 | $10.90 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,990 | $14.42 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,870 | $16.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,750 | $21.52 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,820 | $16.74 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,170 | $12.58 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,540 | $14.20 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| Dishwasher | $28,690 | $13.79 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $40,300 | $19.37 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
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 Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area is $28,230 a year, or $13.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn at least $35,390 a year. The top 25% earn $29,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,980 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $23,470 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
About 4,260 fast food and counter workers are employed in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.