Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $43,040 a year ($20.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,780 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $43,220. Pay here is 6% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $45,660. There are 2.5 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,100 | $19.28 |
| 25th percentile | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Median | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| 75th percentile | $45,580 | $21.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Average (mean) | $43,860 | $21.09 |
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 | $3,586.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,793.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,655.38 |
| Weekly | $827.69 |
| Hourly | $20.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,040 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 |
| Dubuque, IA | $47,640 | 160 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $44,140 | 2,090 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $43,700 | 810 |
| 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $51,600 | $24.81 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $51,250 | $24.64 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $48,520 | $23.33 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,590 | $18.55 |
| Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders | $56,100 | $26.97 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $60,330 | $29.00 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,370 | $36.24 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $50,400 | $24.23 |
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 51-9111. 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $43,040 a year, or $20.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $47,780 a year. The top 25% earn $45,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,100 a year, and a quarter of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders earn $43,040 or less.
How many packaging and filling machine operators and tenders work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 210 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.