Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Ames, IA
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $62,300 a year ($29.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,680 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $58,040. Pay here is 8% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $57,550. There are 1.4 chemical equipment operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,590, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| 25th percentile | $52,850 | $25.41 |
| Median | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| 75th percentile | $63,140 | $30.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,680 | $36.86 |
| Average (mean) | $59,590 | $28.65 |
Half of chemical equipment operators and tenders 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 | $5,191.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,595.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,396.15 |
| Weekly | $1,198.08 |
| Hourly | $29.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $60,370 | 350 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $59,230 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for chemical equipment operators and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $101,590 |
| Alabama | $80,330 |
| Montana | $79,570 |
| Louisiana | $78,580 |
| Idaho | $77,100 |
| Rhode Island | $69,630 |
| Washington | $67,300 |
| West Virginia | $66,060 |
| Arkansas | $64,440 |
| Mississippi | $64,360 |
See Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $70,690 | $33.99 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $69,090 | $33.22 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $47,330 | $22.76 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $39,070 | $18.79 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,160 | $35.65 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,560 | $28.15 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| Printing Press Operator | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| Food Batchmaker | $50,950 | $24.50 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9011. 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 chemical equipment operators and tenders make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for chemical equipment operators and tenders in the Ames, IA metro area is $62,300 a year, or $29.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical equipment operators and tenders make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of chemical equipment operators and tenders in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $76,680 a year. The top 25% earn $63,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,960 a year, and a quarter of chemical equipment operators and tenders earn $52,850 or less.
How many chemical equipment operators and tenders work in Ames, IA?
About 80 chemical equipment operators and tenders are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.