Agricultural Equipment Operators Salary in Waterloo, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Median annual salary $47,730 +12.1% vs national
Median hourly $22.95
10th percentile $41,840
90th percentile $59,450
Employed locally 50
National median $42,580

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Agricultural Equipment Operators
in
Waterloo, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,840
    25th
    $44,590
    50th (median)
    $47,730
    75th
    $55,440
    90th
    $59,450

    Waterloo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,916 2023 • Census ACS
    Agricultural Equipment Operators salary vs area income 69% Median Agricultural Equipment Operators salary is 31% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Agricultural Equipment Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area $61,580
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $54,380
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $54,020
    Montana $53,900
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $53,510
    Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $52,870

    Nearby metros — Agricultural Equipment Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $54,020
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $50,460
    Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA $50,170
    Dubuque, IA $50,010
    Indiana $48,930
    Sioux City, IA-NE-SD $48,880

    Related occupations in Waterloo, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse $29,170
    Agricultural Inspectors $53,910
    Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals $51,840

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Agricultural Equipment Operators make per hour in Waterloo?

    The median hourly wage for Agricultural Equipment Operators in Waterloo, IA is $22.95, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.69 or more per hour.

    Is Waterloo above or below average for Agricultural Equipment Operators salaries?

    The median Agricultural Equipment Operators salary in Waterloo, IA is 12.1% above the national median of $42,580. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Agricultural Equipment Operators in Waterloo?

    Entry-level Agricultural Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $41,840 per year in Waterloo, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,590.