Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Dubuque, IA
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn a median of $28,680 a year ($13.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,600 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,340 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $28,390. There are 27 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $29,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Dubuque, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,930 | $10.55 |
| 25th percentile | $26,450 | $12.72 |
| Median | $28,680 | $13.79 |
| 75th percentile | $32,940 | $15.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Average (mean) | $29,180 | $14.03 |
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 | $2,390 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,195 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,103.08 |
| Weekly | $551.54 |
| Hourly | $13.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 Dubuque, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $20,060 | $9.65 |
| Bartender | $21,720 | $10.44 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,270 | $15.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,510 | $19.00 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,610 | $17.12 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| Dishwasher | $29,380 | $14.13 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,520 | $15.63 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,670 | $13.31 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,340 | $13.63 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,990 | $17.78 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $32,340 | $15.55 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Dubuque, 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 Dubuque, IA?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in the Dubuque, IA metro area is $28,680 a year, or $13.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Dubuque, IA?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn at least $36,340 a year. The top 25% earn $32,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Dubuque, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,930 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $26,450 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Dubuque, IA?
About 1,600 fast food and counter workers are employed in the Dubuque, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.