Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Wisconsin
Fast Food and Counter Workers in Wisconsin earn a median of $28,600 a year ($13.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 67,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,090 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $31,200. Wisconsin ranks 34th of 51 states for fast food and counter workers pay. There are 23 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $29,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,240 | $10.69 |
| 25th percentile | $25,710 | $12.36 |
| Median | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 75th percentile | $33,390 | $16.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Average (mean) | $29,110 | $13.99 |
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 | $2,383.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,191.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,100 |
| Weekly | $550 |
| Hourly | $13.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $28,600 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in cities in Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $33,040 | 37,920 |
| Madison, WI | $29,820 | 9,180 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $29,260 | 2,910 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $29,210 | 1,300 |
| Kenosha, WI | $29,070 | 2,120 |
| Appleton, WI | $29,010 | 3,150 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $28,670 | 2,170 |
| Green Bay, WI | $28,640 | 3,930 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $28,610 | 1,960 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $28,440 | 17,490 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $28,290 | 2,150 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $28,280 | 1,960 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $28,180 | 1,350 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $28,070 | 2,370 |
| Wausau, WI | $27,830 | 1,440 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,670 | $14.26 |
| Bartender | $23,460 | $11.28 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,670 | $16.67 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,670 | $19.07 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,070 | $16.38 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| Dishwasher | $29,070 | $13.98 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,080 | $13.02 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,920 | $13.90 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,060 | $13.49 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,300 | $29.47 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $31,240 | $15.02 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in Wisconsin is $28,600 a year, or $13.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in Wisconsin earn at least $36,090 a year. The top 25% earn $33,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,240 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $25,710 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Wisconsin?
About 67,750 fast food and counter workers are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.