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Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Iowa
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Iowa?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$47,900
Median Annual Salary
▲
+4.3% vs 2024
$48,370
Mean Salary
$47,900
Median Salary
$23.03
Hourly Rate
850 people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary by percentile in Iowa
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa earn a median salary of $47,900 per year ($3,991/month).
This is 16.2% above the national average of $41,230.
Iowa ranks #4 out of 41 states for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay.
Approximately 850 people work in this occupation across Iowa.
Salaries increased by 4.3% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend cooking equipment, such as steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, kettles, and boilers, to prepare food products.
Top Skills
Operations Monitoring
3.5
Reading Comprehension
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Operation and Control
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Production and Processing
4.35
Food Production
3.8
Administration and Management
3.31
Education and Training
3.13
Mechanical
3.11
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(85.9% of workers)
Salary Range: Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa
Salaries for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa range from $43,410 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $52,020 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $46,380 and $49,880.
Median $47,900
P10: $43,410P25: $46,380P75: $49,880P90: $52,020
10th
$43,410
25th
$46,380
Median
$47,900
75th
$49,880
90th
$52,020
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$43,410
$20.87
$3,617
25th Percentile
$46,380
$22.30
$3,865
Median (50th)
$47,900
$23.03
$3,991
75th Percentile
$49,880
$23.98
$4,156
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$52,020
$25.01
$4,335
Note: The mean (average) salary of $48,370 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#4
Iowa ranks #4 of 41 states
$41,230
National avg. for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Iowa?
The median annual salary for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa is $47,900 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $48,370.
What is the salary range for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa?
Salaries for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa range from $43,410 at the 10th percentile to $52,020 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $46,380 and $49,880.
What is the starting salary for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa?
Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders positions in Iowa typically start around $43,410 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $46,380 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 850 people are employed as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa.
What is the hourly rate for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Iowa is approximately $23.03 per hour.
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.
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