Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $48,700 a year ($23.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,090 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $47,180. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $48,910. There are 1.2 multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $50,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| 25th percentile | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Median | $48,700 | $23.42 |
| 75th percentile | $52,510 | $25.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Average (mean) | $50,350 | $24.21 |
Half of multiple machine tool 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 | $4,058.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,029.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,873.08 |
| Weekly | $936.54 |
| Hourly | $23.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $54,980 | 80 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $53,940 | 530 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $50,400 | 220 |
| Ames, IA | $49,670 | 190 |
| Dubuque, IA | $49,180 | 290 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $46,970 | 210 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $45,990 | 310 |
Highest-paying states for multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| West Virginia | $76,080 |
| Kentucky | $54,960 |
| Missouri | $53,160 |
| Maryland | $51,780 |
| Nebraska | $50,960 |
| Virginia | $50,600 |
| Washington | $50,540 |
| Vermont | $50,450 |
| Idaho | $50,410 |
| New York | $49,890 |
See Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,980 | $25.47 |
| Machinist | $59,290 | $28.51 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $73,170 | $35.18 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $71,150 | $34.21 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,850 | $24.45 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Baker | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,660 | $19.55 |
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 51-4081. 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 multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $48,700 a year, or $23.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $62,090 a year. The top 25% earn $52,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,650 a year, and a quarter of multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn $46,420 or less.
How many multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 500 multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.