Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $59,340 +3.9% vs national
Median hourly $28.53
10th percentile $47,130
90th percentile $72,430
Employed locally 130
National median $57,090

Compare Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

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Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
in
Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,130
    25th
    $50,160
    50th (median)
    $59,340
    75th
    $61,580
    90th
    $72,430

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 70% Median Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary is 30% 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 Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $43,510
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $69,590
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $49,200
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $50,950
    Butchers and Meat Cutters $36,140
    Bakers $36,460

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Des Moines, IA is $28.53, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.96 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Des Moines, IA is 3.9% 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $47,130 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,160.