SOC 51-9111 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders — Iowa
Iowa · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa is $45,660 per year, close to the national median of $43,220 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa is $45,660 per year, close to the national median of $43,220 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $40,810 and $51,560. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $37,040 and the ninetieth at $63,230.
The area has 6,990 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 4.5 of every thousand jobs. Iowa ranks number 12th out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Cedar Rapids records the highest median at $67,700. Of the 711 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 539th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,040 | −14.3% |
| 25th | $40,810 | −5.6% |
| Median (50th) | $45,660 | +5.6% |
| 75th | $51,560 | +19.3% |
| 90th | $63,230 | +46.3% |
| Mean | $48,340 | +11.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar Rapids | $67,700 | 1,080 | |
| 2 | Des Moines | $51,100 | 850 | |
| 3 | Ames | $48,250 | 280 | |
| 4 | Dubuque | $47,640 | 160 | |
| 5 | Sioux City | $43,700 | 810 | |
| 6 | Waterloo | $43,040 | 210 | |
| 7 | Davenport | $40,600 | 550 | |
| 8 | Iowa City | $38,550 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $45,660 goes as far as $52,005 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
$45,660as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$52,005US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,660 a year, 5.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,040 to $63,230 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 6,990 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 12th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Cedar Rapids, at $67,700.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa?
The median annual wage is $45,660, or $21.95 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 $43,220, so pay in Iowa is 5.6% 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 Iowa earns more than $63,230 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,040 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 Cedar Rapids, at $67,700 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 6,990 jobs in this occupation in Iowa. 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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