Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Iowa
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa earn a median of $47,010 a year ($22.60 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $45,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,180 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $49,030. Iowa ranks 20th of 32 states for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic pay. The average (mean) salary is $48,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,770 | $22.01 |
| 25th percentile | $46,120 | $22.17 |
| Median | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| 75th percentile | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,180 | $27.97 |
| Average (mean) | $48,280 | $23.21 |
Half of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic 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 | $3,917.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,958.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,808.08 |
| Weekly | $904.04 |
| Hourly | $22.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,010 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $49,750 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $69,210 |
| Oklahoma | $61,720 |
| Michigan | $61,620 |
| Nebraska | $60,460 |
| Wisconsin | $60,310 |
| California | $59,250 |
| Colorado | $57,970 |
| Ohio | $56,870 |
| New York | $56,350 |
| Missouri | $55,210 |
See Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in every state.
Related jobs in Iowa
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4022. 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 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Iowa?
The median salary for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Iowa is $47,010 a year, or $22.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Iowa?
The top 10% of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Iowa earn at least $58,180 a year. The top 25% earn $49,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,770 a year, and a quarter of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn $46,120 or less.