How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Des Moines?
$29,140a year
Median yearly pay for fast food and counter workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $14.01 an hour or $2,428 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.01
- Vs. national median
- -7%
- Rank among cities
- 162 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 10,060
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $21,870Median: $29,140Highest 10%: $36,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,870 | $10.51 | |
| 25th | $27,580 | $13.26 | |
| Median | $29,140 | $14.01 | |
| 75th | $35,520 | $17.08 | |
| 90th | $36,400 | $17.50 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for fast food and counter workers.
| Davenport, IA | $31,200 |
| Omaha, NE | $29,450 |
| Ames, IA | $29,220 |
| 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 Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $51,210 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $42,650 |
| Cook | $36,760 |
| Cook | $36,320 |
| Cook | $36,070 |
| Food Server | $33,790 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,120 |
| Dishwasher | $30,450 |
| Cook | $30,360 |
| Host and Hostess | $28,270 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $14.01 ($29,140 a year).
Do fast food and counter workers make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $29,140 against $31,200 nationally, 7% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $28,390, so Des Moines pays 3% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for fast food and counter worker pay?
162 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a fast food and counter worker make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $21,870 or less a year; the top 10% make $36,400 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.