Food Batchmaker salary in Iowa
Food Batchmakers in Iowa earn a median of $48,300 a year ($23.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,780 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $42,290. Iowa ranks 4th of 50 states for food batchmakers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.7 food batchmakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $50,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food batchmakers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,830 | $17.22 |
| 25th percentile | $43,640 | $20.98 |
| Median | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| 75th percentile | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,780 | $30.18 |
| Average (mean) | $50,620 | $24.34 |
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 | $4,025 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,012.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,857.69 |
| Weekly | $928.85 |
| Hourly | $23.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Batchmaker salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $77,920 | 480 |
| Ames, IA | $50,950 | 110 |
| 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
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $43,820 | $21.07 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $43,190 | $20.76 |
| Baker | $37,210 | $17.89 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,750 | $35.94 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,090 | $26.49 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,740 | $24.40 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $52,300 | $25.15 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,910 | $23.51 |
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 Iowa?
The median salary for food batchmakers in Iowa is $48,300 a year, or $23.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food batchmakers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of food batchmakers in Iowa earn at least $62,780 a year. The top 25% earn $59,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for food batchmakers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,830 a year, and a quarter of food batchmakers earn $43,640 or less.
How many food batchmakers work in Iowa?
About 4,160 food batchmakers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.