Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $28,890 -5.2% vs national
Median hourly $13.89
10th percentile $21,870
90th percentile $35,470
Employed locally 1,490
National median $30,480

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Fast Food and Counter Workers
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Ames, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,870
    25th
    $24,310
    50th (median)
    $28,890
    75th
    $33,080
    90th
    $35,470

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Fast Food and Counter Workers salary vs area income 41% Median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary is 59% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Fast Food and Counter Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $42,660
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $40,470
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $38,310
    Napa, CA $38,270
    District of Columbia $38,240
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $38,090

    Nearby metros — Fast Food and Counter Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $38,240
    California $37,010
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $36,960
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $36,780
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $36,470
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $36,460

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses$28,660
    Cooks, Restaurant$36,310
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$39,290
    Bartenders$22,610
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$35,330
    Cooks, Fast Food$28,910

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Ames, IA is $13.89, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.65 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries?

    The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Ames, IA is 5.2% below the national median of $30,480. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Ames?

    Entry-level Fast Food and Counter Workers (10th percentile) earn around $21,870 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $24,310.