Iowa Median
$28,390
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.65
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $31,200
State Rank
#38 of 51
40,290 employed here
How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make in Iowa?
Fast Food and Counter Workers in Iowa take home a median of $28,390 annually — roughly $13.65 an hour — which runs 9% below the national median of $31,200.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $21,620 while the top 10% make $35,990 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $26,150 and $33,440 a year.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,620 | $10.39 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $26,150 | $12.57 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $28,390 | $13.65 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $33,440 | $16.08 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,990 | $17.30 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories for Fast Food and Counter Workers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in other states
California $42,280Washington $37,710District of Columbia $37,430Colorado $36,270Vermont $36,030Massachusetts $35,850Connecticut $35,380Hawaii $35,250New York $35,250Oregon $35,050Maine $34,710Arizona $34,230New Jersey $34,150Illinois $33,910Maryland $33,660Alaska $33,280Nevada $31,950New Hampshire $31,590Rhode Island $31,490Minnesota $31,370Delaware $31,300Missouri $30,390Virginia $30,110North Dakota $30,080South Dakota $29,490Montana $29,090Florida $29,080Nebraska $29,000Idaho $28,940Michigan $28,930Indiana $28,790New Mexico $28,700Utah $28,670Wisconsin $28,600North Carolina $28,570Pennsylvania $28,570Ohio $28,430Wyoming $27,860Texas $27,740Kansas $27,580South Carolina $27,520Tennessee $27,470Kentucky $27,130Georgia $26,920Arkansas $26,250West Virginia $26,070Alabama $23,700Oklahoma $23,430Louisiana $22,800Mississippi $22,610
Working as Fast Food and Counter Workers in Iowa
Nationally, about 3,854,000 people work as Fast Food and Counter Workers in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($28,390) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make in Iowa?
The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Iowa is $28,390 per year, or about $13.65 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $21,620 at the entry level to $35,990 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Fast Food and Counter Workers about 9% less than the national median of $31,200. Iowa ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $28,390 a year. About 40,290 Fast Food and Counter Workers are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Fast Food and Counter Workers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.