Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Ames, IA
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $48,250 a year ($23.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,280 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $43,220. Pay here is 6% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $45,660. There are 5.1 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,920, close to the median.
Pay range for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| 25th percentile | $40,810 | $19.62 |
| Median | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| 75th percentile | $49,170 | $23.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,280 | $27.06 |
| Average (mean) | $45,920 | $22.08 |
Half of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders 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 | $4,020.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,010.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,855.77 |
| Weekly | $927.88 |
| Hourly | $23.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,250 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $67,700 | 1,080 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $51,100 | 850 |
| Dubuque, IA | $47,640 | 160 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $44,140 | 2,090 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $43,700 | 810 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $43,040 | 210 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $40,600 | 550 |
| Iowa City, IA | $38,550 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $49,450 |
| Wyoming | $48,890 |
| Missouri | $48,070 |
| Maine | $47,970 |
| North Dakota | $47,390 |
| Idaho | $46,720 |
| Vermont | $46,670 |
| West Virginia | $46,410 |
| Nebraska | $46,220 |
| Wisconsin | $46,220 |
See Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $39,070 | $18.79 |
| 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 51-9111. 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 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in the Ames, IA metro area is $48,250 a year, or $23.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $56,280 a year. The top 25% earn $49,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,760 a year, and a quarter of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders earn $40,810 or less.
How many packaging and filling machine operators and tenders work in Ames, IA?
About 280 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.