SOC 53-7062 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — Southeast Iowa
Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $42,520 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $40,240.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $42,520 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $40,240. Half of workers earn between $37,490 and $46,560. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $31,980 and the ninetieth at $51,730.
The area has 4,640 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 23.1 of every thousand jobs. Waterloo leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $47,440. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 319th of 420 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,980 | −20.5% |
| 25th | $37,490 | −6.8% |
| Median (50th) | $42,520 | +5.7% |
| 75th | $46,560 | +15.7% |
| 90th | $51,730 | +28.6% |
| Mean | $42,570 | +5.8% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterloo | $47,440 | 2,920 | |
| 2 | Des Moines | $46,370 | 7,000 | |
| 3 | Dubuque | $45,960 | 980 | |
| 4 | Cedar Rapids | $43,300 | 2,730 | |
| 5 | Davenport | $42,980 | 4,370 | |
| 6 | Sioux City | $42,790 | 1,660 | |
| 7 | Ames | $40,280 | 650 | |
| 8 | Iowa City | $38,060 | 830 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southeast Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $42,520 goes as far as $48,428 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 20.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$42,520as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,428US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $42,520 a year, 5.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,980 to $51,730 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,640 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Waterloo, at $47,440.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand in Southeast Iowa, IA?
The median annual wage is $42,520, or $20.44 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $40,240, so pay in Southeast Iowa, IA is 5.7% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Southeast Iowa, IA earns more than $51,730 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,980 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Waterloo, at $47,440 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,640 jobs in this occupation in Southeast Iowa, IA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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