Machinist Salary in Iowa (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$57,540
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.66
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $58,750
State Rank
#36 of 51
2,880 employed here

How much does a Machinist make in Iowa?

A Machinist working in Iowa earns a median salary of $57,540 per year, or about $27.66 per hour. That is 2% below the national median of $58,750 for this occupation.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $44,500 while the top 10% make $71,160 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,190 and $61,530 a year.

Machinist salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$44,500$21.39
25th percentile (early career)$49,190$23.65
50th percentile (median)$57,540$27.66
75th percentile (experienced)$61,530$29.58
90th percentile (top earners)$71,160$34.21

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 36th out of 51 states and territories for Machinist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$84,410
2Alaska$77,670
3District of Columbia$72,900
4Massachusetts$67,270
5Washington$66,160

Working as a Machinist in Iowa

Nationally, about 287,000 people work as Machinists in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($57,540) 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 a Machinist make in Iowa?
The median Machinist salary in Iowa is $57,540 per year, or about $27.66 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,500 at the entry level to $71,160 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Machinists about 2% less than the national median of $58,750. Iowa ranks 36th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Machinists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,540 a year. About 2,880 Machinists 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 Machinist 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.