Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Agricultural Equipment Operators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $44,810 a year ($21.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,820 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $41,730. Pay here is 5% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $47,220. There are 0.66 agricultural equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for agricultural equipment operators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| 25th percentile | $41,800 | $20.10 |
| Median | $44,810 | $21.55 |
| 75th percentile | $55,120 | $26.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,820 | $30.69 |
| Average (mean) | $47,930 | $23.04 |
Half of agricultural equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,734.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,867.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,723.46 |
| Weekly | $861.73 |
| Hourly | $21.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $49,990 | 50 |
| Dubuque, IA | $49,440 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $48,010 | 120 |
| Ames, IA | $47,610 | 30 |
| Iowa City, IA | $46,940 | 30 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $46,220 | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $45,310 | 70 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $44,660 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for agricultural equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Montana | $58,770 |
| Louisiana | $58,520 |
| New York | $50,020 |
| Delaware | $49,910 |
| Massachusetts | $49,150 |
| Minnesota | $48,520 |
| North Dakota | $48,080 |
| South Dakota | $48,060 |
| Virginia | $47,890 |
| Iowa | $47,220 |
See Agricultural Equipment Operator pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $38,550 | $18.54 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 45-2091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a agricultural equipment operator make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for agricultural equipment operators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $44,810 a year, or $21.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid agricultural equipment operators make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of agricultural equipment operators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $63,820 a year. The top 25% earn $55,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for agricultural equipment operators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,150 a year, and a quarter of agricultural equipment operators earn $41,800 or less.
How many agricultural equipment operators work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 60 agricultural equipment operators are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.