Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in Ames, IA
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $52,020 a year ($25.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,590 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $48,990. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $51,570. There are 2.0 mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $52,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,970 | $16.33 |
| 25th percentile | $49,020 | $23.57 |
| Median | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| 75th percentile | $58,850 | $28.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,590 | $30.57 |
| Average (mean) | $52,200 | $25.10 |
Half of mixing and blending machine setters, 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 | $4,335 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,167.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,000.77 |
| Weekly | $1,000.38 |
| Hourly | $25.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,020 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $55,170 | 310 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $53,000 | 120 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $51,980 | 310 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $51,760 | 180 |
| Iowa City, IA | $51,570 | 100 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $51,230 | 140 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $49,180 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $60,790 |
| Minnesota | $59,270 |
| Wyoming | $58,320 |
| New Jersey | $57,810 |
| Maine | $55,540 |
| Connecticut | $53,830 |
| Washington | $53,800 |
| Illinois | $53,560 |
| Maryland | $53,480 |
| New York | $53,170 |
See Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, 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 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| 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 51-9023. 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 mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders in the Ames, IA metro area is $52,020 a year, or $25.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $63,590 a year. The top 25% earn $58,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,970 a year, and a quarter of mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders earn $49,020 or less.
How many mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders work in Ames, IA?
About 110 mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.