Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $48,980 +14.6% vs national
Median hourly $23.55
10th percentile $23,840
90th percentile $62,470
Employed locally 50
National median $42,730

Compare Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

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Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,840
    25th
    $43,780
    50th (median)
    $48,980
    75th
    $57,400
    90th
    $62,470

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 58% Median Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary is 42% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Western Washington nonmetropolitan area $66,110
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $64,670
    Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $60,350
    Colorado $59,990
    Appleton, WI $56,230
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $54,540

    Nearby metros — Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $64,670
    Columbia, SC $51,340
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $51,250
    Sioux City, IA-NE-SD $50,850
    Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area $45,860
    Indiana $45,550

    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 Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Des Moines, IA is $23.55, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.85 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Des Moines, IA is 14.6% above the national median of $42,730. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $23,840 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,780.