Motion Picture Projectionist Salary in Iowa (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$23,210
per year
Hourly Rate
$11.16
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-39% vs US median
US median $38,270
State Rank
#11 of 12
100 employed here

How much does a Motion Picture Projectionist make in Iowa?

A Motion Picture Projectionist working in Iowa earns a median salary of $23,210 per year, or about $11.16 per hour. That is 39% below the national median of $38,270 for this occupation.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $21,250 while the top 10% make $41,600 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $21,880 and $26,760 a year.

Motion Picture Projectionist salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$21,250$10.22
25th percentile (early career)$21,880$10.52
50th percentile (median)$23,210$11.16
75th percentile (experienced)$26,760$12.87
90th percentile (top earners)$41,600$20.00

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 11th out of 12 states and territories for Motion Picture Projectionist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$82,260
2Illinois$78,990
3California$74,840
4Washington$39,070
5Michigan$37,590

Working as a Motion Picture Projectionist in Iowa

Nationally, about 1,000 people work as Motion Picture Projectionists in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($23,210) 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 Motion Picture Projectionist make in Iowa?
The median Motion Picture Projectionist salary in Iowa is $23,210 per year, or about $11.16 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $21,250 at the entry level to $41,600 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Motion Picture Projectionists about 39% less than the national median of $38,270. Iowa ranks 11th out of 12 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Motion Picture Projectionists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $23,210 a year. About 100 Motion Picture Projectionists 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 Motion Picture Projectionist 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.