SOC 53-7062 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — Southwest Iowa
Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
In Southwest Iowa, IA the median wage for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand is $44,260 a year, which is 10.0% higher than the national figure of $40,240.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Southwest Iowa, IA the median wage for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand is $44,260 a year, which is 10.0% higher than the national figure of $40,240. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $37,620 and $48,010. The lowest tenth earn under $34,100, while the highest tenth earn more than $58,160.
Employment stands at 1,590, or 21.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Waterloo records the highest median at $47,440. Of the 276 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 193rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,100 | −15.3% |
| 25th | $37,620 | −6.5% |
| Median (50th) | $44,260 | +10.0% |
| 75th | $48,010 | +19.3% |
| 90th | $58,160 | +44.5% |
| Mean | $44,080 | +9.5% |
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 Southwest Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $44,260 goes as far as $50,410 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 25.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$44,260as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,410US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,260 a year, 10.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,100 to $58,160 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,590 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 Southwest Iowa, IA?
The median annual wage is $44,260, or $21.28 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 Southwest Iowa, IA is 10.0% 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 Southwest Iowa, IA earns more than $58,160 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,100 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 1,590 jobs in this occupation in Southwest 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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