Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary in Appleton, WI
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median $29,010 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $24,987 take-home, or $2,082 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fast food and counter worker salary in Appleton, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,301
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,799
- Medicare (1.45%)$421
- Wisconsin income tax$502
- Take-home pay$24,987
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.50% state
Fast Food and Counter Worker pay by experience in Appleton, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,400 | $10.77 | $19,786 | $1,649 |
| 25th percentile | $23,870 | $11.48 | $20,945 | $1,745 |
| Median (50th) | $29,010 | $13.95 | $24,987 | $2,082 |
| 75th percentile | $33,880 | $16.29 | $28,693 | $2,391 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,870 | $17.25 | $30,204 | $2,517 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,010 buys in Appleton, WI
Prices in Appleton, WI are 7.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fast food and counter worker's $24,987 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,037 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Fast Food and Counter Worker jobs are about as common in Appleton, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.02).
Best-paying cities for fast food and counter workers, adjusted for cost of living
Appleton, WI ranks #145 of 386 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanford, CA | $42,060 | $34,757 | $34,205 |
| 2 | El Centro, CA | $38,840 | $32,340 | $33,980 |
| 3 | Modesto, CA | $42,630 | $35,184 | $33,796 |
| 4 | Vallejo, CA | $44,110 | $36,295 | $33,458 |
| 5 | Yuba City, CA | $42,040 | $34,742 | $33,331 |
| 6 | Santa Rosa, CA | $43,610 | $35,920 | $33,326 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $44,570 | $36,640 | $33,182 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $42,860 | $35,357 | $33,146 |
| 145 | Appleton, WI | $29,010 | $24,987 | $27,037 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 386 metros →
Fast Food and Counter Worker salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Sheboygan, WI — $29,210
- La Crosse, WI — $28,280
- Fond du Lac, WI — $28,180
- Oshkosh, WI — $28,610
- Green Bay, WI — $28,640
- Madison, WI — $29,820
- Eau Claire, WI — $28,070
- Janesville, WI — $28,290
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Appleton, WI?
The median fast food and counter worker salary in the Appleton, WI metro area is $29,010 a year, or about $13.95 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $23,870 and $33,880.
What is a fast food and counter worker’s take-home pay in Appleton, WI?
On the median $29,010 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $24,987 a year ($2,082 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $502 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Appleton, WI a good place to work as a fast food and counter worker?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $31,200. Local prices are 7.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,037 would in a typical U.S. city. Appleton, WI ranks #145 of 386 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fast food and counter worker afford rent in Appleton, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Appleton, WI is $960 a month ($1,236 for two bedrooms) — 46% of a median fast food and counter worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $38,500
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,520
- Food Preparation Worker — $34,060
- Waiter and Waitress — $30,370
- Bartender — $23,330