Packers and Packagers, Hand salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Packers and Packagers, Hand in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $37,540 a year ($18.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 680 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,270 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $36,280. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $37,470. There are 1.7 packers and packagers, hand per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $38,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for packers and packagers, hand in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,940 | $14.88 |
| 25th percentile | $35,690 | $17.16 |
| Median | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| 75th percentile | $43,010 | $20.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,270 | $22.72 |
| Average (mean) | $38,970 | $18.73 |
Half of packers and packagers, hand 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 | $3,128.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,564.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,443.85 |
| Weekly | $721.92 |
| Hourly | $18.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,540 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Packers and Packagers, Hand salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $38,880 | 1,520 |
| Dubuque, IA | $38,120 | 160 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $37,390 | 460 |
| Iowa City, IA | $37,340 | 170 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $36,010 | 160 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $35,020 | 650 |
| Ames, IA | $34,490 | 50 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,870 | 490 |
Highest-paying states for packers and packagers, hand
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Kansas | $44,460 |
| New Jersey | $43,840 |
| Alaska | $41,670 |
| District of Columbia | $40,910 |
| Colorado | $40,730 |
| Minnesota | $40,310 |
| Vermont | $39,440 |
| Washington | $39,220 |
| Nebraska | $38,880 |
| Missouri | $37,670 |
See Packers and Packagers, Hand pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $56,990 | $27.40 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $75,760 | $36.42 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,200 | $20.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,680 | $16.68 |
| Parking Attendant | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $58,930 | $28.33 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7064. 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 packers and packagers, hand make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for packers and packagers, hand in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $37,540 a year, or $18.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid packers and packagers, hand make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of packers and packagers, hand in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $47,270 a year. The top 25% earn $43,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for packers and packagers, hand in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,940 a year, and a quarter of packers and packagers, hand earn $35,690 or less.
How many packers and packagers, hand work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 680 packers and packagers, hand are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.