Packers and Packagers, Hand salary in Iowa
Packers and Packagers, Hand in Iowa earn a median of $37,470 a year ($18.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,090 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,000 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $36,280. Iowa ranks 11th of 51 states for packers and packagers, hand pay. There are 2.6 packers and packagers, hand per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $38,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for packers and packagers, hand in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,870 | $14.36 |
| 25th percentile | $33,260 | $15.99 |
| Median | $37,470 | $18.02 |
| 75th percentile | $43,010 | $20.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Average (mean) | $38,330 | $18.43 |
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 | $3,122.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,561.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,441.15 |
| Weekly | $720.58 |
| Hourly | $18.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Packers and Packagers, Hand salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $38,880 | 1,520 |
| Dubuque, IA | $38,120 | 160 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $37,540 | 680 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $49,850 | $23.97 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $56,900 | $27.36 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $45,250 | $21.75 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $51,450 | $24.74 |
| Dredge Operator | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $50,960 | $24.50 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,750 | $20.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,490 | $29.08 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for packers and packagers, hand in Iowa is $37,470 a year, or $18.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid packers and packagers, hand make in Iowa?
The top 10% of packers and packagers, hand in Iowa earn at least $48,000 a year. The top 25% earn $43,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for packers and packagers, hand in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,870 a year, and a quarter of packers and packagers, hand earn $33,260 or less.
How many packers and packagers, hand work in Iowa?
About 4,090 packers and packagers, hand are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.