Packers and Packagers, Hand Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $35,620 +0.1% vs national
Median hourly $17.12
10th percentile $30,040
90th percentile $46,200
Employed locally 730
National median $35,580

Compare Packers and Packagers, Hand salary & buying power

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Packers and Packagers, Hand
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,040
    25th
    $30,050
    50th (median)
    $35,620
    75th
    $39,840
    90th
    $46,200

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Packers and Packagers, Hand salary vs area income 42% Median Packers and Packagers, Hand salary is 58% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Packers and Packagers, Hand

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Greeley, CO $48,590
    St. Joseph, MO-KS $47,340
    South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area $46,590
    Sheboygan, WI $46,370
    Hinesville, GA $44,730
    Fairbanks-College, AK $44,720

    Nearby metros — Packers and Packagers, Hand salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Columbia, MO $42,790
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $42,450
    Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area $41,530
    Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area $41,320
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $40,630
    District of Columbia $40,210

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $58,880
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $44,530
    Stockers and Order Fillers $37,330
    Light Truck Drivers $45,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $59,260
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $51,470

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Packers and Packagers, Hand make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Packers and Packagers, Hand in Des Moines, IA is $17.12, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.72 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Packers and Packagers, Hand salaries?

    The median Packers and Packagers, Hand salary in Des Moines, IA is 0.1% above the national median of $35,580. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Packers and Packagers, Hand in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Packers and Packagers, Hand (10th percentile) earn around $30,040 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,050.