Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Dubuque, IA
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn a median of $46,720 a year ($22.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,460 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $44,350. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $45,220. There are 1.4 molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $48,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Dubuque, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,350 | $15.07 |
| 25th percentile | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| Median | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| 75th percentile | $55,030 | $26.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,460 | $32.43 |
| Average (mean) | $48,460 | $23.30 |
Half of molding, coremaking, and casting 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 | $3,893.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,946.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,796.92 |
| Weekly | $898.46 |
| Hourly | $22.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,430 | 520 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $55,550 | 170 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $45,830 | 470 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $42,290 | 360 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $37,230 | 290 |
Highest-paying states for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $77,560 |
| Maryland | $63,460 |
| Maine | $59,230 |
| Minnesota | $49,590 |
| Nevada | $49,590 |
| Nebraska | $48,500 |
| Washington | $48,290 |
| Colorado | $48,200 |
| North Dakota | $47,780 |
| New Hampshire | $47,610 |
See Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Dubuque, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $56,100 | $26.97 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,180 | $23.65 |
| Machinist | $58,890 | $28.31 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,740 | $23.91 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,620 | $23.37 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $63,290 | $30.43 |
| Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,930 | $24.01 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $50,320 | $24.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,130 | $37.08 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $52,110 | $25.05 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,800 | $23.94 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,770 | $22.49 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,640 | $22.90 |
| Food Batchmaker | $49,130 | $23.62 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4072. 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 molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Dubuque, IA?
The median salary for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the Dubuque, IA metro area is $46,720 a year, or $22.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Dubuque, IA?
The top 10% of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn at least $67,460 a year. The top 25% earn $55,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Dubuque, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,350 a year, and a quarter of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn $37,800 or less.
How many molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work in Dubuque, IA?
About 80 molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in the Dubuque, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.