Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Iowa
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa earn a median of $45,220 a year ($21.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,670 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,280 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $44,350. Iowa ranks 23rd of 49 states for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic pay. There are 2.4 molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,170, 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 Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,650 | $17.14 |
| 25th percentile | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Median | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| 75th percentile | $55,550 | $26.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,280 | $31.86 |
| Average (mean) | $47,170 | $22.68 |
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 | $3,768.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,884.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,739.23 |
| Weekly | $869.62 |
| Hourly | $21.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,220 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 cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,430 | 520 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $55,550 | 170 |
| Dubuque, IA | $46,720 | 80 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Iowa is $45,220 a year, or $21.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Iowa?
The top 10% of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Iowa earn at least $66,280 a year. The top 25% earn $55,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,650 a year, and a quarter of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn $37,230 or less.
How many molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work in Iowa?
About 3,670 molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.