Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Iowa
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa earn a median of $45,660 a year ($21.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,990 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,230 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $43,220. Iowa ranks 12th of 50 states for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders pay. There are 4.5 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $48,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,040 | $17.81 |
| 25th percentile | $40,810 | $19.62 |
| Median | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| 75th percentile | $51,560 | $24.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| Average (mean) | $48,340 | $23.24 |
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 | $3,805 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,902.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,756.15 |
| Weekly | $878.08 |
| Hourly | $21.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,660 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 cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| Dubuque, IA | $47,640 | 160 |
| 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.
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,740 | $24.40 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $52,300 | $25.15 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $44,450 | $21.37 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,570 | $24.79 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $45,560 | $21.91 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $57,550 | $27.67 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $62,590 | $30.09 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,220 | $25.11 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,110 | $22.17 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,600 | $23.84 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Tire Builder | $50,600 | $24.33 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,340 | $23.72 |
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 Iowa?
The median salary for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Iowa is $45,660 a year, or $21.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Iowa?
The top 10% of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Iowa earn at least $63,230 a year. The top 25% earn $51,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,040 a year, and a quarter of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders earn $40,810 or less.
How many packaging and filling machine operators and tenders work in Iowa?
About 6,990 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.