Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Southwest Iowa

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

Median annual salary $45,910 +13.2% vs national
Median hourly $22.07
10th percentile $44,240
90th percentile $45,910
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
Southwest Iowa
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,240
    25th
    $44,990
    50th (median)
    $45,910
    75th
    $45,910
    90th
    $45,910

    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 Southwest Iowa

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $45,260
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $47,840
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $68,230
    Slaughterers and Meat Packers $43,810
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $45,050
    Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers $45,970

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Southwest Iowa is $22.07, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.91 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Southwest Iowa is 13.2% 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 Southwest Iowa?

    Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $44,240 per year in Southwest Iowa. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,990.