Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$46,110
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $50,270
State Rank
#41 of 43
1,010 employed here

How much do Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in Iowa?

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders working in Iowa earn a median salary of $46,110 per year, or about $22.17 per hour. That is 8% below the national median of $50,270 for this occupation.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $37,420 while the top 10% make $83,480 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,930 and $67,340 a year.

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,420$17.99
25th percentile (early career)$38,930$18.72
50th percentile (median)$46,110$22.17
75th percentile (experienced)$67,340$32.38
90th percentile (top earners)$83,480$40.13

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 41st out of 43 states and territories for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Oklahoma$63,640
2Maine$61,780
3Utah$60,790
4Washington$59,410
5Louisiana$58,230

Working as Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Iowa

Nationally, about 96,000 people work as Paper Goods Machine Setters, 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 ($46,110) 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 Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in Iowa?
The median Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in Iowa is $46,110 per year, or about $22.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,420 at the entry level to $83,480 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders about 8% less than the national median of $50,270. Iowa ranks 41st out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $46,110 a year. About 1,010 Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 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 Paper Goods Machine Setters, 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.