Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Dubuque, IA
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn a median of $47,640 a year ($22.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,470 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $43,220. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $45,660. There are 2.8 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $47,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Dubuque, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,770 | $19.12 |
| 25th percentile | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Median | $47,640 | $22.90 |
| 75th percentile | $52,470 | $25.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,470 | $25.22 |
| Average (mean) | $47,910 | $23.04 |
Half of packaging and filling machine 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 | $3,970 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,985 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,832.31 |
| Weekly | $916.15 |
| Hourly | $22.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $67,700 | 1,080 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $51,100 | 850 |
| Ames, IA | $48,250 | 280 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $44,140 | 2,090 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $43,700 | 810 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $43,040 | 210 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $40,600 | 550 |
| Iowa City, IA | $38,550 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $49,450 |
| Wyoming | $48,890 |
| Missouri | $48,070 |
| Maine | $47,970 |
| North Dakota | $47,390 |
| Idaho | $46,720 |
| Vermont | $46,670 |
| West Virginia | $46,410 |
| Nebraska | $46,220 |
| Wisconsin | $46,220 |
See Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Dubuque, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $48,750 | $23.44 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $55,770 | $26.81 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $50,320 | $24.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,130 | $37.08 |
| 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 |
| Food Batchmaker | $49,130 | $23.62 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,740 | $23.91 |
| Baker | $41,160 | $19.79 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,520 | $17.56 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9111. 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 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Dubuque, IA?
The median salary for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in the Dubuque, IA metro area is $47,640 a year, or $22.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Dubuque, IA?
The top 10% of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn at least $52,470 a year. The top 25% earn $52,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Dubuque, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,770 a year, and a quarter of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders earn $45,220 or less.
How many packaging and filling machine operators and tenders work in Dubuque, IA?
About 160 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders are employed in the Dubuque, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.