Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$48,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.31
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-35% vs US median
US median $74,500
State Rank
#18 of 20
100 employed here

How much do Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining make in Iowa?

Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining working in Iowa earn a median salary of $48,490 per year, or about $23.31 per hour. That is 35% below the national median of $74,500 for this occupation.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $46,560 while the top 10% make $59,260 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,830 and $59,070 a year.

Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,560$22.38
25th percentile (early career)$46,830$22.51
50th percentile (median)$48,490$23.31
75th percentile (experienced)$59,070$28.40
90th percentile (top earners)$59,260$28.49

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 18th out of 20 states and territories for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Wyoming$112,110
2Alaska$93,130
3Nevada$82,920
4South Carolina$80,480
5Colorado$79,150

Working as Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining in Iowa

Nationally, about 6,000 people work as Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($48,490) 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 Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining make in Iowa?
The median Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining salary in Iowa is $48,490 per year, or about $23.31 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,560 at the entry level to $59,260 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining about 35% less than the national median of $74,500. Iowa ranks 18th out of 20 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $48,490 a year. About 100 Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
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 Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining salary report

Related salaries

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas

$67,890
median pay · 13,000 employed

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

$62,780
median pay · 68,000 employed

Boilermaker

$76,410
median pay · 10,000 employed

Rock Splitter, Quarry

$48,740
median pay · 3,000 employed

Construction and Building Inspectors

$74,690
median pay · 147,000 employed

Pipelayer

$49,000
median pay · 33,000 employed
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.