Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $28,200 ($13.56/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $21,400/year and the 90th was $35,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $24,413 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$28,200$13.56 per hour · $2,350 monthly
10th Percentile$21,400$10.29/hr base
25th Percentile$25,900$12.45/hr base
75th Percentile$33,200$15.96/hr base
90th Percentile$35,700$17.16/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 Pay Explorer

$28,200
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$28,200
Net 87%
Fed 4%
IA 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$24,413After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,034Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$939Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,210 / yr
Iowa state income tax$420 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,157 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$10.29/hr$1,783$21,400$19,072
25th Percentile$12.45/hr$2,158$25,900$22,606
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$13.56/hr$2,350$28,200$24,413
75th Percentile$15.96/hr$2,767$33,200$28,246
90th Percentile$17.16/hr$2,975$35,700$30,160

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$28,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$70,811Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index87.112.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio39.8%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $28,200, which equates to approximately $2,350 per month or $13.56 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $13.56 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.29/hour and one in ten earned more than $17.16/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA span from $21,400 at the 10th percentile to $25,900 at the 25th, $33,200 at the 75th, and $35,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On a median gross salary of $28,200, an estimated $24,413 lands in net take-home pay per year ($939 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,787 (an effective rate of 13.4%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On the median annual salary of $28,200, gross monthly income is $2,350. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,034 per month (or $939 every two weeks).

Is $28,200 a good salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

At $28,200, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 39.8% of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA median household income ($70,811). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 87.1, making regional consumer goods and services 12.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.