Iowa Median
$45,660
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.95
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+6% vs US median
US median $43,220
State Rank
#12 of 50
6,990 employed here
How much do Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders make in Iowa?
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa take home a median of $45,660 annually — roughly $21.95 an hour — which runs 6% above the national median of $43,220.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $37,040 while the top 10% make $63,230 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,810 and $51,560 a year.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,040 | $17.81 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $40,810 | $19.62 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $45,660 | $21.95 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $51,560 | $24.79 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,230 | $30.40 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 12th out of 50 states and territories for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in other states
New Hampshire $49,450Wyoming $48,890Missouri $48,070Maine $47,970North Dakota $47,390Idaho $46,720Vermont $46,670West Virginia $46,410Nebraska $46,220Wisconsin $46,220Colorado $46,010Kentucky $45,450Oregon $45,180Virginia $44,950Kansas $44,890Indiana $44,600Pennsylvania $44,480Montana $44,350California $44,020South Dakota $43,860Utah $43,780Maryland $43,670Ohio $43,310Tennessee $43,190Illinois $43,150Georgia $42,920Washington $41,700Michigan $41,690North Carolina $41,150Minnesota $40,960Arizona $40,560Massachusetts $40,360New Jersey $40,280South Carolina $40,010Connecticut $39,460New York $39,330Oklahoma $39,310Texas $38,950Alaska $38,730Delaware $38,500Louisiana $38,370Rhode Island $38,330Alabama $37,820Arkansas $37,740Mississippi $37,720Nevada $37,440Florida $37,170Hawaii $36,810New Mexico $35,640
Working as Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa
Nationally, about 379,000 people work as Packaging and Filling 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 ($45,660) 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 Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders make in Iowa?
The median Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Iowa is $45,660 per year, or about $21.95 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,040 at the entry level to $63,230 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders about 6% more than the national median of $43,220. Iowa ranks 12th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — Iowa pays above the national median for this occupation, at $45,660 a year. About 6,990 Packaging and Filling 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 Packaging and Filling 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.