Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $60,530 a year ($29.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 840 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,460 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $58,470. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $60,530. There are 2.1 postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,600 | $20.48 |
| 25th percentile | $50,770 | $24.41 |
| Median | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| 75th percentile | $75,030 | $36.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,460 | $36.76 |
| Average (mean) | $60,990 | $29.32 |
Half of postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators 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 | $5,044.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,522.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,328.08 |
| Weekly | $1,164.04 |
| Hourly | $29.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,530 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $61,570 | 60 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $59,490 | 520 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $58,470 | 100 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $57,430 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $66,750 |
| South Dakota | $61,570 |
| Iowa | $60,530 |
| New Jersey | $60,530 |
| Wyoming | $60,530 |
| North Dakota | $59,840 |
| Minnesota | $59,740 |
| California | $59,490 |
| Hawaii | $59,490 |
| Maine | $59,490 |
See Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $44,730 | $21.50 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $44,240 | $21.27 |
| Couriers and Messengers | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $64,380 | $30.95 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $50,490 | $24.27 |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Office Clerks, General | $46,540 | $22.38 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,500 | $22.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $71,690 | $34.47 |
More: Office and Administrative Support 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 43-5053. 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 postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $60,530 a year, or $29.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $76,460 a year. The top 25% earn $75,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,600 a year, and a quarter of postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators earn $50,770 or less.
How many postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 840 postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.