How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Ames?
$29,220a year
Median yearly pay for fast food and counter workers in the Ames, IA metro area. That is $14.05 an hour or $2,435 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.05
- Vs. national median
- -6%
- Rank among cities
- 155 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 1,620
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $21,680Median: $29,220Highest 10%: $36,710
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,680 | $10.42 | |
| 25th | $26,990 | $12.98 | |
| Median | $29,220 | $14.05 | |
| 75th | $34,780 | $16.72 | |
| 90th | $36,710 | $17.65 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for fast food and counter workers.
| Davenport, IA | $31,200 |
| Omaha, NE | $29,450 |
| Des Moines, IA | $29,140 |
| Sioux City, IA | $29,090 |
| Iowa City, IA | $28,760 |
| Dubuque, IA | $28,680 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $28,280 |
| Waterloo, IA | $27,820 |
Related jobs in Ames
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $51,360 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,710 |
| Cook | $36,540 |
| Cook | $36,410 |
| Cook | $36,070 |
| Food Server | $31,840 |
| Dishwasher | $30,110 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,900 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,630 |
| Host and Hostess | $28,480 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make an hour in Ames?
The median hourly pay in the Ames, IA metro area is $14.05 ($29,220 a year).
Do fast food and counter workers make more in Ames than the national average?
No: $29,220 against $31,200 nationally, 6% less.
How does Ames compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $28,390, so Ames pays 3% more.
Where does Ames rank for fast food and counter worker pay?
155 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a fast food and counter worker make starting out in Ames?
The lowest-paid 10% make $21,680 or less a year; the top 10% make $36,710 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.