Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in Iowa City, IA
Agricultural Equipment Operators in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $46,940 a year ($22.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,410 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $41,730. Pay here is 1% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $47,220. There are 0.33 agricultural equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for agricultural equipment operators in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| 25th percentile | $35,690 | $17.16 |
| Median | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| 75th percentile | $58,000 | $27.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| Average (mean) | $47,040 | $22.61 |
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 | $3,911.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,955.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,805.38 |
| Weekly | $902.69 |
| Hourly | $22.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,940 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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Agricultural Equipment Operator pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $31,700 | $15.24 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, IA
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 City, IA?
The median salary for agricultural equipment operators in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $46,940 a year, or $22.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid agricultural equipment operators make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of agricultural equipment operators in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $69,410 a year. The top 25% earn $58,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for agricultural equipment operators in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,120 a year, and a quarter of agricultural equipment operators earn $35,690 or less.
How many agricultural equipment operators work in Iowa City, IA?
About 30 agricultural equipment operators are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.