Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Milling and Planing 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
$51,600
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.81
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $52,800
State Rank
#17 of 36
140 employed here

How much do Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Iowa?

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa take home a median of $51,600 annually — roughly $24.81 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $52,800.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $42,490 while the top 10% make $62,770 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,580 and $58,490 a year.

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$42,490$20.43
25th percentile (early career)$48,580$23.36
50th percentile (median)$51,600$24.81
75th percentile (experienced)$58,490$28.12
90th percentile (top earners)$62,770$30.18

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 17th out of 36 states and territories for Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$86,460
2Connecticut$79,300
3Kentucky$66,440
4Illinois$63,360
5Massachusetts$62,380

Working as Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa

Nationally, about 12,000 people work as Milling and Planing 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 ($51,600) 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 Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Iowa?
The median Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Iowa is $51,600 per year, or about $24.81 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,490 at the entry level to $62,770 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 2% less than the national median of $52,800. Iowa ranks 17th out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $51,600 a year. About 140 Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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 Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary report

Related salaries

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.