Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Southeast Iowa

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

Median annual salary $44,450 +9.6% vs national
Median hourly $21.37
10th percentile $41,690
90th percentile $48,560
Employed locally 180
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
Southeast Iowa
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,690
    25th
    $41,830
    50th (median)
    $44,450
    75th
    $48,540
    90th
    $48,560

    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 Southeast Iowa

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$46,510
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$71,350
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$52,420
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$48,550
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$48,910
    Production Workers, All Other$47,670

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Southeast Iowa is $21.37, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.80 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Southeast Iowa is 9.6% 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 Southeast Iowa?

    Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $41,690 per year in Southeast Iowa. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $41,830.