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Appleton, WI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Appleton, WI

In the Appleton, WI metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $28,100 ($13.51/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $21,800/year and the 90th was $35,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Wisconsin tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $24,246 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$28,100$13.51 per hour · $2,342 monthly
10th Percentile$21,800$10.48/hr base
25th Percentile$25,300$12.16/hr base
75th Percentile$32,800$15.77/hr base
90th Percentile$35,400$17.02/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-home payWhat $28,000 a year leaves after tax in WisconsinFederal tax, FICA and Wisconsin withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$14 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $28,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $28,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Wisconsin publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Wisconsin.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$28,100
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$28,100
Net 86%
Fed 4%
WI 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$24,246After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,021Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$933Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,200 / yr
Wisconsin state income tax$504 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,150 / yr
Customize deductions in full Wisconsin calculator

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Appleton, WI

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Appleton, WI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WI)
10th Percentile$10.48/hr$1,817$21,800$19,305
25th Percentile$12.16/hr$2,108$25,300$22,050
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$13.51/hr$2,342$28,100$24,246
75th Percentile$15.77/hr$2,733$32,800$27,806
90th Percentile$17.02/hr$2,950$35,400$29,767

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Appleton, WI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$28,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$85,825Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.47.6% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio32.7%of area median income

Compare fast food or counter workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Wisconsin:

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Fast Food and Counter Workers pay in other Wisconsin metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Appleton, WI. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Appleton, WI

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Appleton, WI?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Appleton, WI is $28,100, which equates to approximately $2,342 per month or $13.51 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Appleton, WI?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Appleton, WI is $13.51 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.48/hour and one in ten earned more than $17.02/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Appleton, WI?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Appleton, WI span from $21,800 at the 10th percentile to $25,300 at the 25th, $32,800 at the 75th, and $35,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Appleton, WI?

On a median gross salary of $28,100, an estimated $24,246 lands in net take-home pay per year ($933 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Wisconsin in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,854 (an effective rate of 13.7%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Appleton, WI?

On the median annual salary of $28,100, gross monthly income is $2,342. After federal, FICA, and Wisconsin state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,021 per month (or $933 every two weeks).

Is $28,100 a good salary in Appleton, WI?

At $28,100, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 32.7% of the Appleton, WI median household income ($85,825). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.4, making regional consumer goods and services 7.6% cheaper than the U.S. average.