Machinist salary in Iowa
Machinists in Iowa earn a median of $57,540 a year ($27.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,880 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,160 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $58,750. Iowa ranks 36th of 51 states for machinists pay. There are 1.8 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $56,960, close to the median.
Pay range for machinists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,500 | $21.39 |
| 25th percentile | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| Median | $57,540 | $27.66 |
| 75th percentile | $61,530 | $29.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,160 | $34.21 |
| Average (mean) | $56,960 | $27.39 |
Half of machinists 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 | $4,795 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,397.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,213.08 |
| Weekly | $1,106.54 |
| Hourly | $27.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Machinist salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,710 | 600 |
| Ames, IA | $60,200 | 60 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $59,290 | 210 |
| Dubuque, IA | $58,890 | 180 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $58,540 | 240 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $58,100 | 180 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $56,350 | 80 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $56,000 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for machinists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $84,410 |
| Alaska | $77,670 |
| District of Columbia | $72,900 |
| Massachusetts | $67,270 |
| Washington | $66,160 |
| Oregon | $63,820 |
| New Jersey | $63,190 |
| Wyoming | $63,070 |
| Vermont | $62,680 |
| Delaware | $62,650 |
Related jobs in Iowa
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4041. 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 machinist make in Iowa?
The median salary for machinists in Iowa is $57,540 a year, or $27.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of machinists in Iowa earn at least $71,160 a year. The top 25% earn $61,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,500 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $49,190 or less.
How many machinists work in Iowa?
About 2,880 machinists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.