Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$47,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.06
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $44,810
State Rank
#16 of 44
660 employed here

How much do Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders make in Iowa?

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders working in Iowa earn a median salary of $47,960 per year, or about $23.06 per hour. That is 7% above the national median of $44,810 for this occupation.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $36,480 while the top 10% make $63,340 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,110 and $52,650 a year.

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,480$17.54
25th percentile (early career)$45,110$21.69
50th percentile (median)$47,960$23.06
75th percentile (experienced)$52,650$25.31
90th percentile (top earners)$63,340$30.45

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 16th out of 44 states and territories for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1North Dakota$77,300
2Maryland$60,170
3Colorado$59,590
4Virginia$59,260
5Alaska$55,280

Working as Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa

Nationally, about 20,000 people work as Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($47,960) 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 Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders make in Iowa?
The median Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Iowa is $47,960 per year, or about $23.06 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,480 at the entry level to $63,340 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders about 7% more than the national median of $44,810. Iowa ranks 16th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — Iowa pays above the national median for this occupation, at $47,960 a year. About 660 Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders 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 Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders 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.