How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Waterloo?
$27,820a year
Median yearly pay for fast food and counter workers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area. That is $13.38 an hour or $2,318 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.38
- Vs. national median
- -11%
- Rank among cities
- 257 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 2,500
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $21,720Median: $27,820Highest 10%: $35,870
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,720 | $10.44 | |
| 25th | $26,110 | $12.55 | |
| Median | $27,820 | $13.38 | |
| 75th | $31,740 | $15.26 | |
| 90th | $35,870 | $17.25 |
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 |
| Des Moines, IA | $29,140 |
| Sioux City, IA | $29,090 |
| Iowa City, IA | $28,760 |
| Dubuque, IA | $28,680 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $28,280 |
Related jobs in Waterloo
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $44,610 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,180 |
| Cook | $35,680 |
| Cook | $35,420 |
| Cook | $33,520 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,050 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,930 |
| Dishwasher | $28,890 |
| Host and Hostess | $28,190 |
| Food Server | $28,140 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make an hour in Waterloo?
The median hourly pay in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $13.38 ($27,820 a year).
Do fast food and counter workers make more in Waterloo than the national average?
No: $27,820 against $31,200 nationally, 11% less.
How does Waterloo compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $28,390, so Waterloo pays 2% less.
Where does Waterloo rank for fast food and counter worker pay?
257 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a fast food and counter worker make starting out in Waterloo?
The lowest-paid 10% make $21,720 or less a year; the top 10% make $35,870 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.