Agricultural Equipment Operator Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Agricultural Equipment Operators in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$47,220
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.70
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+13% vs US median
US median $41,730
State Rank
#10 of 40
1,530 employed here

How much does an Agricultural Equipment Operator make in Iowa?

An Agricultural Equipment Operator working in Iowa earns a median salary of $47,220 per year, or about $22.70 per hour. That is 13% above the national median of $41,730 for this occupation.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $37,020 while the top 10% make $62,360 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,010 and $57,960 a year.

Agricultural Equipment Operator salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,020$17.80
25th percentile (early career)$43,010$20.68
50th percentile (median)$47,220$22.70
75th percentile (experienced)$57,960$27.87
90th percentile (top earners)$62,360$29.98

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 10th out of 40 states and territories for Agricultural Equipment Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Montana$58,770
2Louisiana$58,520
3New York$50,020
4Delaware$49,910
5Massachusetts$49,150

Working as an Agricultural Equipment Operator in Iowa

Nationally, about 29,000 people work as Agricultural Equipment Operators in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($47,220) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Agricultural Equipment Operator make in Iowa?
The median Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in Iowa is $47,220 per year, or about $22.70 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,020 at the entry level to $62,360 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Agricultural Equipment Operators about 13% more than the national median of $41,730. Iowa ranks 10th out of 40 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Agricultural Equipment Operators?
Yes on pay — Iowa pays above the national median for this occupation, at $47,220 a year. About 1,530 Agricultural Equipment Operators are employed in Iowa. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Agricultural Equipment Operator salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.