Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in Iowa
Agricultural Equipment Operators in Iowa earn a median of $47,220 a year ($22.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,360 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $41,730. Iowa ranks 10th of 40 states for agricultural equipment operators pay. There are 0.98 agricultural equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for agricultural equipment operators in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,020 | $17.80 |
| 25th percentile | $43,010 | $20.68 |
| Median | $47,220 | $22.70 |
| 75th percentile | $57,960 | $27.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| Average (mean) | $49,480 | $23.79 |
Half of agricultural equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,935 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,967.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,816.15 |
| Weekly | $908.08 |
| Hourly | $22.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,220 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $49,990 | 50 |
| Dubuque, IA | $49,440 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $48,010 | 120 |
| Ames, IA | $47,610 | 30 |
| Iowa City, IA | $46,940 | 30 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $46,220 | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $45,310 | 70 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $44,810 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $44,660 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for agricultural equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Montana | $58,770 |
| Louisiana | $58,520 |
| New York | $50,020 |
| Delaware | $49,910 |
| Massachusetts | $49,150 |
| Minnesota | $48,520 |
| North Dakota | $48,080 |
| South Dakota | $48,060 |
| Virginia | $47,890 |
| Iowa | $47,220 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Agricultural Inspector | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $59,150 | $28.44 |
| Forest and Conservation Workers | $33,600 | $16.16 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 45-2091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a agricultural equipment operator make in Iowa?
The median salary for agricultural equipment operators in Iowa is $47,220 a year, or $22.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid agricultural equipment operators make in Iowa?
The top 10% of agricultural equipment operators in Iowa earn at least $62,360 a year. The top 25% earn $57,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for agricultural equipment operators in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,020 a year, and a quarter of agricultural equipment operators earn $43,010 or less.
How many agricultural equipment operators work in Iowa?
About 1,530 agricultural equipment operators are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.