Helpers--Production Workers salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Helpers--Production Workers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $48,520 a year ($23.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,030 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $39,070. Pay here is 6% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $45,560. There are 5.0 Helpers--Production workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,780, close to the median.
Pay range for Helpers--Production workers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,900 | $19.66 |
| 25th percentile | $42,840 | $20.60 |
| Median | $48,520 | $23.33 |
| 75th percentile | $50,030 | $24.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,030 | $24.05 |
| Average (mean) | $45,780 | $22.01 |
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 | $4,043.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,021.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,866.15 |
| Weekly | $933.08 |
| Hourly | $23.33 |
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 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $46,710 | 110 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $44,170 | 180 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $41,740 | 50 |
| Ames, IA | $39,070 | 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $51,600 | $24.81 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $51,250 | $24.64 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,590 | $18.55 |
| Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders | $56,100 | $26.97 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $60,330 | $29.00 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,370 | $36.24 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $50,400 | $24.23 |
More: Production 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 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for Helpers--Production workers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $48,520 a year, or $23.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Helpers--Production workers make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of Helpers--Production workers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $50,030 a year. The top 25% earn $50,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for Helpers--Production workers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,900 a year, and a quarter of Helpers--Production workers earn $42,840 or less.
How many Helpers--Production workers work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 420 Helpers--Production workers are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.