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Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Iowa

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How much do Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Iowa?

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$48,240
Median Annual Salary
▲ +0.8% vs 2024
$47,960
Mean Salary
$48,240
Median Salary
$23.19
Hourly Rate
2,030 people work as Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by percentile in Iowa

BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Iowa — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa.10thBottom 10% earn less than $36,550$36,55025th25% earn less than $40,120$40,120MedianHalf earn more than $48,240$48,24075th75% earn less than $52,730$52,73090thTop 10% earn more than $57,490$57,490

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa earn a median salary of $48,240 per year ($4,020/month). This is 4.5% above the national average of $46,170. Iowa ranks #14 out of 49 states for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. Approximately 2,030 people work in this occupation across Iowa. Salaries increased by 0.8% compared to 2024.

About This Job: Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

Top Skills

Operations Monitoring
3.5
Operation and Control
3.38
Monitoring
3.25
Quality Control Analysis
3.25
Active Listening
3.0

Key Knowledge Areas

Mechanical
3.51
Production and Processing
3.19
Mathematics
3.01
English Language
2.81
Design
2.5
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent (67.4% of workers)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa

Salaries for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa range from $36,550 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $57,490 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $40,120 and $52,730.

Median $48,240
P10: $36,550 P25: $40,120 P75: $52,730 P90: $57,490
10th
$36,550
25th
$40,120
Median
$48,240
75th
$52,730
90th
$57,490
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $36,550 $17.57 $3,045
25th Percentile $40,120 $19.29 $3,343
Median (50th) $48,240 $23.19 $4,020
75th Percentile $52,730 $25.35 $4,394
90th Percentile (Experienced) $57,490 $27.64 $4,790

Note: The mean (average) salary of $47,960 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#14
Iowa ranks #14 of 49 states
$46,170
National avg. for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
+4.5%
vs. national average
Near Average

What does this salary really buy? See Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Iowa adjusted for cost of living →

How much do you actually take home? See Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic take-home pay in Iowa after taxes →

Explore Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Data in Iowa

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by State

Compare Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

View all 50 states →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Iowa?
The median annual salary for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa is $48,240 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $47,960.
What is the salary range for a Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa?
Salaries for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa range from $36,550 at the 10th percentile to $57,490 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $40,120 and $52,730.
What is the starting salary for a Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa?
Entry-level Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic positions in Iowa typically start around $36,550 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $40,120 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 2,030 people are employed as Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa.
What is the hourly rate for a Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa is approximately $23.19 per hour.

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Data Source & Methodology

Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.

Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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