Machine Operator
Machine Operator Salary in Iowa
$23.5K - $25.4K
1% of jobs
$25.4K - $27.2K
4% of jobs
$27.2K - $29.1K
8% of jobs
$29.1K - $31K
12% of jobs
$31.1K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$31K - $32.9K
15% of jobs
The median wage is $33.8K / yr.
$32.9K - $34.8K
20% of jobs
$34.8K - $36.6K
14% of jobs
$36.9K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$36.6K - $38.5K
11% of jobs
$38.5K - $40.4K
7% of jobs
$40.4K - $42.3K
6% of jobs
$42.3K - $44.1K
3% of jobs
$23.5K
$34.8K
$45.6K
$35,529
/year
$17.08
/hour
Machine Operator Salary Comparison by Location
Nationwide
United States
$37,827
Iowa
Iowa
$35,529
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How much does a Machine Operator make in Iowa?
As of Aug 8, 2026, the average annual pay for a Machine Operator in Iowa is $35,529 a year.
Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $17.08 an hour. This is the equivalent of $683/week or $2,960/month.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $45,554 and as low as $23,482, the majority of Machine Operator salaries currently range between $31,900 (25th percentile) to $38,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $42,736 annually in Iowa. The average pay range for a Machine Operator varies little (about 6100), which suggests that regardless of location, there are not many opportunities for increased pay or advancement, even with several years of experience.
Iowa ranks number 50 out of 50 states nationwide for Machine Operator salaries.
To estimate the most accurate annual salary range for Machine Operator jobs, ZipRecruiter continuously scans its database of millions of active jobs published locally throughout America.
Find your next high paying job as a Machine Operator on ZipRecruiter today.
What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Machine Operator Jobs in Iowa
We've identified 10 cities where the typical salary for a Machine Operator job is above the average in Iowa in Iowa. Topping the list is Sioux City, , with Waterloo, and West Des Moines, close behind in the second and third positions. West Des Moines, beats the average in Iowa by $1,609 (4.5%), and Sioux City, furthers that trend with another $1,874 (5.3%) above the $35,529 average.
With these 10 cities paying on average above the average for Iowa, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as a Machine Operator appears to be exceedingly fruitful.
Finally, another factor to consider is the average salary for these top 10 cities varies very little at 2% between Sioux City, and Hubbard, , reinforcing the limited potential for much wage advancement. The possibility of a lower cost of living may be the best factor to use when considering location and salary for a Machine Operator role.
City | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
Sioux City | $37,403 | $17.98 |
Waterloo | $37,299 | $17.93 |
West Des Moines | $37,138 | $17.85 |
Cedar Rapids | $37,028 | $17.80 |
Ames | $37,020 | $17.80 |
Iowa City | $37,013 | $17.79 |
Des Moines | $36,916 | $17.75 |
Mitchellville | $36,848 | $17.72 |
Altoona | $36,478 | $17.54 |
Hubbard | $36,426 | $17.51 |
What are Top 5 Best Paying Related Machine Operator Jobs in Iowa
Analyzing similar jobs related to the Machine Operator job category in Iowa, we found 5 that were relevant. However, none pay more than the $35529 state average for Machine Operator jobs.
Job Title | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
Machinist Operator | $50,075 | $24.07 |
Machine Operator Assistant | $36,134 | $17.37 |
3Rd Shift Machine Operator | $35,900 | $17.26 |
Overhead Crane Operator | $35,443 | $17.04 |
Plastic Machine Operator | $31,465 | $15.13 |
About Our Data
ZipRecruiter salary estimates, histograms, trends and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third party data sources.
