Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$48,240
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.19
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $46,330
State Rank
#14 of 49
2,030 employed here

How much do Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Iowa?

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic working in Iowa earn a median salary of $48,240 per year, or about $23.19 per hour. That is 4% above the national median of $46,330 for this occupation.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $36,550 while the top 10% make $57,490 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,120 and $52,730 a year.

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,550$17.57
25th percentile (early career)$40,120$19.29
50th percentile (median)$48,240$23.19
75th percentile (experienced)$52,730$25.35
90th percentile (top earners)$57,490$27.64

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 14th out of 49 states and territories for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Oregon$53,680
2Maine$51,820
3Washington$51,160
4Colorado$50,790
5Minnesota$49,770

Working as Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa

Nationally, about 171,000 people work as Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($48,240) 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 do Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Iowa?
The median Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Iowa is $48,240 per year, or about $23.19 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,550 at the entry level to $57,490 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 4% more than the national median of $46,330. Iowa ranks 14th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Yes on pay — Iowa pays above the national median for this occupation, at $48,240 a year. About 2,030 Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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 Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary report

Related salaries

Plant and System Operators, All Other

$62,470
median pay · 14,000 employed

Furniture Finisher

$44,540
median pay · 14,000 employed

Patternmaker, Wood

$49,630
median pay · specialist role
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.