Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Joplin, MO-KS
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $28,730 a year ($13.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $33,920 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay here is 5% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $30,390. There are 13 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $29,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Joplin, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,270 | $13.11 |
| 25th percentile | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Median | $28,730 | $13.81 |
| 75th percentile | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $33,920 | $16.31 |
| Average (mean) | $29,760 | $14.31 |
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 | $2,394.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,197.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,105 |
| Weekly | $552.50 |
| Hourly | $13.81 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $31,260 | 19,170 |
| Springfield, MO | $29,950 | 2,560 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,810 | 520 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $29,580 | 520 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $29,560 | 20,120 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $29,430 | 640 |
| Columbia, MO | $29,390 | 1,410 |
| Lawrence, KS | $28,320 | 2,880 |
| Topeka, KS | $27,810 | 3,260 |
| Wichita, KS | $27,420 | 11,580 |
| Manhattan, KS | $27,130 | 2,190 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Joplin, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Bartender | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,370 | $14.60 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $33,930 | $16.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,370 | $17.00 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,010 | $13.95 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,070 | $14.94 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Dishwasher | $29,070 | $13.98 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,750 | $14.31 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Joplin, MO-KS
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 Joplin, MO-KS?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area is $28,730 a year, or $13.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $33,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Joplin, MO-KS?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn at least $33,920 a year. The top 25% earn $29,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Joplin, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,270 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $28,600 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Joplin, MO-KS?
About 1,130 fast food and counter workers are employed in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.