Food Batchmaker salary in Ames, IA
Food Batchmakers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $50,950 a year ($24.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,190 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $42,290. Pay here is 5% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $48,300. There are 1.9 food batchmakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $50,870, close to the median.
Pay range for food batchmakers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,380 | $17.49 |
| 25th percentile | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| Median | $50,950 | $24.50 |
| 75th percentile | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,190 | $28.94 |
| Average (mean) | $50,870 | $24.46 |
Half of food batchmakers 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 | $4,245.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,122.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,959.62 |
| Weekly | $979.81 |
| Hourly | $24.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Batchmaker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $77,920 | 480 |
| Dubuque, IA | $49,130 | 140 |
| Iowa City, IA | $48,030 | 70 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $47,010 | 500 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $46,010 | 350 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $45,600 | 280 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $44,860 | 120 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $40,460 | 750 |
Highest-paying states for food batchmakers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Vermont | $50,180 |
| Idaho | $49,570 |
| Wisconsin | $48,360 |
| Iowa | $48,300 |
| Illinois | $48,130 |
| Kentucky | $46,900 |
| Georgia | $46,490 |
| Missouri | $45,690 |
| Colorado | $44,900 |
| Ohio | $44,590 |
See Food Batchmaker pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| Baker | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $43,520 | $20.93 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,160 | $35.65 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,560 | $28.15 |
| Printing Press Operator | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $70,690 | $33.99 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-3092. 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 food batchmaker make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for food batchmakers in the Ames, IA metro area is $50,950 a year, or $24.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food batchmakers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of food batchmakers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $60,190 a year. The top 25% earn $58,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for food batchmakers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,380 a year, and a quarter of food batchmakers earn $46,130 or less.
How many food batchmakers work in Ames, IA?
About 110 food batchmakers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.