Helpers--Production Workers salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Helpers--Production Workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $52,050 a year ($25.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,390 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $39,070. Pay here is 14% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $45,560. There are 0.51 Helpers--Production workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.48). The average (mean) salary is $48,440, close to the median.
Pay range for Helpers--Production workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,060 | $14.93 |
| 25th percentile | $41,790 | $20.09 |
| Median | $52,050 | $25.02 |
| 75th percentile | $54,390 | $26.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,390 | $26.15 |
| Average (mean) | $48,440 | $23.29 |
Half of Helpers--Production workers 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 | $4,337.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,168.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,001.92 |
| Weekly | $1,000.96 |
| Hourly | $25.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,050 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Helpers--Production Workers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $48,520 | 420 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $46,710 | 110 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $44,170 | 180 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $41,740 | 50 |
| Ames, IA | $39,070 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $34,620 | 350 |
Highest-paying states for Helpers--Production workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $46,170 |
| Montana | $46,110 |
| Iowa | $45,560 |
| Colorado | $45,550 |
| Washington | $45,450 |
| Oregon | $45,390 |
| Connecticut | $45,260 |
| Wisconsin | $45,100 |
| Nebraska | $45,020 |
| Minnesota | $44,720 |
See Helpers--Production Workers pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,850 | $24.45 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $55,170 | $26.52 |
| Tire Builder | $63,060 | $30.32 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,920 | $25.44 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,470 | $24.27 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $59,230 | $28.47 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $55,160 | $26.52 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,560 | $25.27 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $67,650 | $32.53 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9198. 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 Helpers--Production workers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for Helpers--Production workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $52,050 a year, or $25.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Helpers--Production workers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of Helpers--Production workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $54,390 a year. The top 25% earn $54,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for Helpers--Production workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,060 a year, and a quarter of Helpers--Production workers earn $41,790 or less.
How many Helpers--Production workers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 200 Helpers--Production workers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.