Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $55,550 a year ($26.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,590 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $44,350. Pay here is 23% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $45,220. There are 2.0 molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,530, close to the median.
Pay range for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| 25th percentile | $55,550 | $26.71 |
| Median | $55,550 | $26.71 |
| 75th percentile | $55,590 | $26.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,590 | $26.73 |
| Average (mean) | $54,530 | $26.22 |
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 | $4,629.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,314.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,136.54 |
| Weekly | $1,068.27 |
| Hourly | $26.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $55,550 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 |
| 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 |
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| Machinist | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,430 | $23.77 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $65,590 | $31.53 |
| Foundry Mold and Coremakers | $54,920 | $26.40 |
| Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders | $60,020 | $28.85 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $54,470 | $26.19 |
| Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $40,300 | $19.38 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $51,600 | $24.81 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $51,250 | $24.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,370 | $36.24 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $55,550 a year, or $26.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $55,590 a year. The top 25% earn $55,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,380 a year, and a quarter of molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn $55,550 or less.
How many molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 170 molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.