Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $60,490 +6% vs national
Median hourly $29.08
10th percentile $50,360
90th percentile $74,320
Employed locally 80
National median $57,090

Compare Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

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Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,360
    25th
    $51,140
    50th (median)
    $60,490
    75th
    $61,210
    90th
    $74,320

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 85% Median Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary is 15% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Baton Rouge, LA $98,790
    Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $98,410
    Wyoming $85,480
    Montgomery, AL $84,360
    Mobile, AL $82,090
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $81,540

    Nearby metros — Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Louisiana $77,250
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $70,710
    West Virginia $63,980
    Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area $63,750
    Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area $62,140
    Northeastern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area $61,370

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $47,250
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $47,630
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $67,220
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $49,310
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $59,950
    Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $48,150

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Ames, IA is $29.08, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.86 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Ames, IA is 6% above the national median of $57,090. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Ames?

    Entry-level Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $50,360 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,140.