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Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

In the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $29,700 ($14.28/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $22,600/year and the 90th was $37,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,567 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,700$14.28 per hour · $2,475 monthly
10th Percentile$22,600$10.87/hr base
25th Percentile$27,300$13.13/hr base
75th Percentile$34,900$16.78/hr base
90th Percentile$37,600$18.08/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 $30,000 a year leaves after tax in IowaFederal tax, FICA and Iowa 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 $30,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $30,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Iowa publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Iowa.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$29,700
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,700
Net 86%
Fed 5%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,567After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,131Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$983Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,384 / yr
Iowa state income tax$477 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,272 / yr
Customize deductions in full Iowa calculator

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$10.87/hr$1,883$22,600$20,014
25th Percentile$13.13/hr$2,275$27,300$23,706
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.28/hr$2,475$29,700$25,567
75th Percentile$16.78/hr$2,908$34,900$29,548
90th Percentile$18.08/hr$3,133$37,600$31,615

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$85,890Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.78.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio34.6%of area median income

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

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Fast Food and Counter Workers pay in other Iowa metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $29,700, which equates to approximately $2,475 per month or $14.28 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $14.28 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.87/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.08/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA span from $22,600 at the 10th percentile to $27,300 at the 25th, $34,900 at the 75th, and $37,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

On a median gross salary of $29,700, an estimated $25,567 lands in net take-home pay per year ($983 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,133 (an effective rate of 13.9%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

On the median annual salary of $29,700, gross monthly income is $2,475. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,131 per month (or $983 every two weeks).

Is $29,700 a good salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

At $29,700, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 34.6% of the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA median household income ($85,890). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.7, making regional consumer goods and services 8.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.