Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in Iowa City, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Iowa City, IA

Median annual salary $28,610 -6.1% vs national
Median hourly $13.76
10th percentile $22,040
90th percentile $36,180
Employed locally 2,380
National median $30,480

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Fast Food and Counter Workers
in
Iowa City, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,040
    25th
    $25,710
    50th (median)
    $28,610
    75th
    $31,460
    90th
    $36,180

    Iowa City economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,142 2023 • Census ACS
    Fast Food and Counter Workers salary vs area income 39% Median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary is 61% 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 Iowa City, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,520
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,880
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,240
    Bartenders $22,880
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $36,230
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $27,740

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Iowa City, IA is $13.76, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.35 or more per hour.

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

    The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Iowa City, IA is 6.1% 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 Iowa City?

    Entry-level Fast Food and Counter Workers (10th percentile) earn around $22,040 per year in Iowa City, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $25,710.