Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Cedar Rapids, IA

Median annual salary $63,690 +57.1% vs national
Median hourly $30.62
10th percentile $40,060
90th percentile $80,480
Employed locally 40
National median $40,550

Compare Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

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Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
in
Cedar Rapids, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,060
    25th
    $43,440
    50th (median)
    $63,690
    75th
    $80,480
    90th
    $80,480

    Cedar Rapids economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $77,084 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 83% Median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary is 17% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Modesto, CA $80,310
    Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area $62,910
    Central East New York nonmetropolitan area $60,250
    Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area $59,140
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $55,870
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $55,630

    Nearby metros — Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $55,630
    Dubuque, IA $50,140
    Sioux City, IA-NE-SD $50,020
    Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $48,460
    Visalia, CA $45,880
    South Georgia nonmetropolitan area $45,780

    Related occupations in Cedar Rapids, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $39,130
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $44,390
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $65,570
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $69,630
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $49,180
    Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $51,270

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make per hour in Cedar Rapids?

    The median hourly wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Cedar Rapids, IA is $30.62, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.69 or more per hour.

    Is Cedar Rapids above or below average for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Cedar Rapids, IA is 57.1% above the national median of $40,550. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Cedar Rapids?

    Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $40,060 per year in Cedar Rapids, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,440.