Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $27,820 a year ($13.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,870 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $28,390. There are 30 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $28,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,720 | $10.44 |
| 25th percentile | $26,110 | $12.55 |
| Median | $27,820 | $13.38 |
| 75th percentile | $31,740 | $15.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,870 | $17.24 |
| Average (mean) | $28,660 | $13.78 |
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 | $2,318.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,159.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,070 |
| Weekly | $535 |
| Hourly | $13.38 |
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 |
| Dubuque, IA | $28,680 | 1,600 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $28,280 | 3,590 |
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $21,490 | $10.33 |
| Bartender | $21,540 | $10.36 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $28,140 | $13.53 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,680 | $17.16 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| Dishwasher | $28,890 | $13.89 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,050 | $15.41 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,190 | $13.55 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $33,520 | $16.12 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $27,820 a year, or $13.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $35,870 a year. The top 25% earn $31,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,720 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $26,110 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 2,500 fast food and counter workers are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.