Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in Milwaukee, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Median annual salary $28,210 -7.4% vs national
Median hourly $13.56
10th percentile $22,400
90th percentile $36,720
Employed locally 17,010
National median $30,480

Compare Fast Food and Counter Workers salary & buying power

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Fast Food and Counter Workers
in
Milwaukee, WI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,400
    25th
    $24,200
    50th (median)
    $28,210
    75th
    $32,960
    90th
    $36,720

    Milwaukee economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $76,404 2023 • Census ACS
    Fast Food and Counter Workers salary vs area income 37% Median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary is 63% 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
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $35,480
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $34,620
    Lewiston-Auburn, ME $33,550
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $33,430
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $31,480
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $31,470

    Related occupations in Milwaukee, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,910
    Bartenders $24,470
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,560
    Cooks, Restaurant $37,540
    Food Preparation Workers $33,280
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $37,880

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Milwaukee, WI is $13.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.72 or more per hour.

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

    The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Milwaukee, WI is 7.4% 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 Milwaukee?

    Entry-level Fast Food and Counter Workers (10th percentile) earn around $22,400 per year in Milwaukee, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $24,200.