Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Northwest Iowa

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $44,590 +10% vs national
Median hourly $21.44
10th percentile $44,400
90th percentile $52,240
Employed locally 70
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
Northwest Iowa
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,400
    25th
    $44,490
    50th (median)
    $44,590
    75th
    $44,790
    90th
    $52,240

    Top-paying metros for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Modesto, CA $80,310
    Cedar Rapids, IA $63,690
    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

    Related occupations in Northwest Iowa

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$47,260
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$47,410
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$68,550
    Food Batchmakers$49,760
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$41,600
    Slaughterers and Meat Packers$41,290

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make per hour in Northwest Iowa?

    The median hourly wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Northwest Iowa is $21.44, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $25.93 or more per hour.

    Is Northwest Iowa above or below average for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Northwest Iowa is 10% 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 Northwest Iowa?

    Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $44,400 per year in Northwest Iowa. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,490.