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Plant Helper Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

3rd Shift Plant Operator

Garner, IA · On-site

$23 - $34/hr

The plant operator is expected to work a 40-hour work week and occasional overtime. Compensation ... to helping our customers advance the health and performance of their animals. With products ...

Martin Marietta is looking for a Plant Manager to lead operations of our Des Moines Portable Crew ... Our aim is to build on our foundation of success and help values-driven and hardworking people ...

Showing results 41-60

Plant Helper information

See Iowa salary details

$8

$17

$25

How much do plant helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for plant helper in Iowa is $17.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $19.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a plant helper?

Plant Helpers are entry-level workers who assist with basic tasks in manufacturing plants, factories, or industrial settings. Their duties may include cleaning equipment, moving materials, assisting machine operators, and helping maintain a safe and orderly work environment. Plant Helpers play a key role in supporting production teams by performing manual labor and ensuring daily operations run smoothly. The position often requires physical stamina and attention to safety protocols. It can be a good starting point for individuals interested in learning about industrial or manufacturing careers.

What are the day-to-day responsibilities of a plant helper?

Plant Helpers typically assist with a variety of tasks to ensure the smooth operation of manufacturing or processing facilities. Daily duties may include cleaning and maintaining equipment, moving materials, monitoring production lines, and assisting skilled operators or technicians as needed. They play a critical support role by helping to minimize downtime and maintain safety standards, often working closely with other team members. This hands-on position is a good entry point for those interested in advancing to more specialized roles within the plant.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a plant helper?

To thrive as a Plant Helper, you generally need a high school diploma or equivalent, basic mechanical aptitude, and familiarity with industrial safety protocols. Experience with hand tools, forklifts, and possibly safety certifications like OSHA training are commonly required. Reliability, teamwork, and a willingness to learn are standout soft skills in this role. These skills help ensure safe, efficient plant operations and support overall productivity in a manufacturing or industrial environment.

What is the difference between Plant Helper vs Greenhouse Worker?

AspectPlant HelperGreenhouse Worker
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; no formal certification neededHigh school diploma; may require basic horticulture knowledge
Work EnvironmentNurseries, farms, or outdoor planting sitesGreenhouses, indoor plant facilities
Employer & Industry UsageNurseries, landscaping companies, farmsGreenhouse operations, horticulture farms
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level plant care rolesMore specialized, indoor plant care roles

Plant Helpers assist with basic plant care tasks in outdoor or nursery settings, while Greenhouse Workers focus on maintaining plants inside greenhouses. Both roles require similar credentials and are used in related industries, but Greenhouse Workers typically work indoors with more specialized tasks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Plant jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Plant jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Plant Helper jobs in Iowa?

For Plant Helper jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Plant Helper jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Plant Helper jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Plant Helper jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Plant Helper job openings:

Infographic showing various Plant Helper job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,070 per year, or $17.3 per hour.

3rd Shift Plant Operator

Zinpro

Garner, IA • On-site

$23 - $34/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Shift: 3rd shift Plant Operator. 10:00pm - 6:30am. The plant operator is expected to work a 40-hour work week and occasional overtime.

Compensation: $2/hr Shift Premium including $4,000 Sign-on bonus

The base salary listed is a range. The offered rate complies with federal and local regulations and may vary based on factors such as experience, certification/education, market conditions, and location. Compensation and benefits information pertains solely to candidates hired within the United States (local market compensation and benefits will apply for others).

In addition to the base salary, this position is eligible for a bonus, providing the opportunity to earn additional compensation.

Benefits: Our Total Rewards programs continue to lead, innovate and embody our core values – caring for the health and wellbeing of all.  Zinpro offers a competitive salary and a premium benefits package, including 100% employer-paid healthcare and generous paid time off.  We provide a wide range of benefits and resources designed to support you at every stage of life: education assistance, retirement planning, 401(k), disability and long-term care insurance, travel assistance, fitness reimbursement, gift matching, and more.


Our Culture of Care – Zinpro®

Position Details

Reporting to the Operations Supervisor, the Plant Operator is a key contributor to Zinpro’s success by manufacturing the organization's products according to established production specifications and schedules; volume, cost, and wastage targets; and quality standards.

  • Controls, operates, and maintains the automated production machinery that blends, mixes, processes, dries, fills, and packages Zinpro products
  • Operates a variety of equipment, including reactor, dryer, blending, bagging equipment, and material handling equipment
  • Performs preventative maintenance and troubleshooting activities on production equipment
  • Performs shipping, receiving, and other warehousing tasks
  • Perform sampling, data collection, and process operation according to production, regulatory, and feed safety requirements
  • Ensures nonconforming raw materials, in-process, and finished products are properly identified, segregated, and dispositioned
  • Proactively identifies and participates in implementing measures to improve production methods, equipment performance, and quality of product
  • Receives work direction/work orders from management and satisfactorily completes job assignments


Qualifications

Minimum Required:

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Minimum 1 year of experience in a production environment
  • Mechanical aptitude and the ability to perform basic troubleshooting
  • Basic computer skills (PC) and basic working knowledge of MS Word and Excel
  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
  • Ability to effectively communicate with coworkers and management

Preferred:

  • Post-secondary education
  • 3 plus years’ experience in a related production environment or industry such as chemical, feed, paper, ethanol, or dairy manufacturing
  • Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and perform maintenance-related tasks
  • Boiler operation experience
  • Experience using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) or inventory management systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
  • Experience supporting ISO 9000 Quality Systems, GMP’s, or Lean Manufacturing methods

About Zinpro

For more than 52 years, Zinpro has improved the health and wellbeing of both animals and people as a pioneer in the research and development of performance trace minerals and innovative nutritional solutions. As a family-owned, privately held company, our steady growth can be attributed to employing a world-class team of experts, manufacturing quality products and our steadfast commitment to helping our customers advance the health and performance of their animals. With products marketed in more than 70 countries worldwide, Zinpro is the global leader in advancing animal performance through greater nutrition and is dedicated to creating smarter practices for a better, more sustainable world.

Working at Zinpro means you’ll make a positive difference, working as part of an authentic and caring community of bright, passionate people. You’ll gain broad experience in a growing company known for its exceptional commitment to employees, customers and our communities. And you’ll quickly see that your unique ideas and perspectives are valued here, where we work continually to create diverse, equitable and inclusive teams.

Zinpro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.