Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators salary in Iowa
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators in Iowa earn a median of $43,310 a year ($20.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,970 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $40,610. Iowa ranks 8th of 29 states for photographic process workers and processing machine operators pay. There are 0.06 photographic process workers and processing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,280, close to the median.
Pay range for photographic process workers and processing machine operators in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,480 | $14.65 |
| 25th percentile | $34,810 | $16.73 |
| Median | $43,310 | $20.82 |
| 75th percentile | $46,690 | $22.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,970 | $25.47 |
| Average (mean) | $41,280 | $19.84 |
Half of photographic process workers and processing machine operators 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 | $3,609.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,804.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,665.77 |
| Weekly | $832.88 |
| Hourly | $20.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for photographic process workers and processing machine operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $57,760 |
| Virginia | $47,380 |
| California | $47,320 |
| Florida | $46,840 |
| Wisconsin | $46,480 |
| Washington | $46,280 |
| Maryland | $45,600 |
| Iowa | $43,310 |
| New Jersey | $43,300 |
| Delaware | $42,220 |
See Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,740 | $24.40 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $52,300 | $25.15 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $44,450 | $21.37 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,570 | $24.79 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $45,560 | $21.91 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $57,550 | $27.67 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $62,590 | $30.09 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,220 | $25.11 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,110 | $22.17 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,600 | $23.84 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Tire Builder | $50,600 | $24.33 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9151. 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 photographic process workers and processing machine operators make in Iowa?
The median salary for photographic process workers and processing machine operators in Iowa is $43,310 a year, or $20.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographic process workers and processing machine operators make in Iowa?
The top 10% of photographic process workers and processing machine operators in Iowa earn at least $52,970 a year. The top 25% earn $46,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographic process workers and processing machine operators in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,480 a year, and a quarter of photographic process workers and processing machine operators earn $34,810 or less.
How many photographic process workers and processing machine operators work in Iowa?
About 90 photographic process workers and processing machine operators are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.