Helpers--Production Workers salary in Ames, IA
Helpers--Production Workers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $39,070 a year ($18.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,430 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $39,070. Pay here is 14% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $45,560. There are 0.81 Helpers--Production workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $41,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Helpers--Production workers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,270 | $14.55 |
| 25th percentile | $30,480 | $14.65 |
| Median | $39,070 | $18.79 |
| 75th percentile | $50,600 | $24.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,430 | $25.21 |
| Average (mean) | $41,020 | $19.72 |
Half of Helpers--Production workers 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 | $3,255.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,627.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,502.69 |
| Weekly | $751.35 |
| Hourly | $18.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Helpers--Production Workers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $52,050 | 200 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $48,520 | 420 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $46,710 | 110 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $44,170 | 180 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $41,740 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $34,620 | 350 |
Highest-paying states for Helpers--Production workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $46,170 |
| Montana | $46,110 |
| Iowa | $45,560 |
| Colorado | $45,550 |
| Washington | $45,450 |
| Oregon | $45,390 |
| Connecticut | $45,260 |
| Wisconsin | $45,100 |
| Nebraska | $45,020 |
| Minnesota | $44,720 |
See Helpers--Production Workers pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $70,690 | $33.99 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $69,090 | $33.22 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $47,330 | $22.76 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,160 | $35.65 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,560 | $28.15 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| Printing Press Operator | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| Food Batchmaker | $50,950 | $24.50 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9198. 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 Helpers--Production workers make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for Helpers--Production workers in the Ames, IA metro area is $39,070 a year, or $18.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Helpers--Production workers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of Helpers--Production workers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $52,430 a year. The top 25% earn $50,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for Helpers--Production workers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,270 a year, and a quarter of Helpers--Production workers earn $30,480 or less.
How many Helpers--Production workers work in Ames, IA?
About 50 Helpers--Production workers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.