Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in Iowa
Slaughterers and Meat Packers in Iowa earn a median of $43,820 a year ($21.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,060 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $40,130. Iowa ranks 16th of 47 states for slaughterers and meat packers pay. There are 2.7 slaughterers and meat packers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,130, close to the median.
Pay range for slaughterers and meat packers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,750 | $16.22 |
| 25th percentile | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| Median | $43,820 | $21.07 |
| 75th percentile | $44,680 | $21.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,060 | $22.15 |
| Average (mean) | $42,130 | $20.26 |
Half of slaughterers and meat packers 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 | $3,651.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,825.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,685.38 |
| Weekly | $842.69 |
| Hourly | $21.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $49,600 | 1,120 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $48,120 | 430 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $46,390 | 1,330 |
Highest-paying states for slaughterers and meat packers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Colorado | $50,480 |
| Arizona | $49,020 |
| Nebraska | $48,910 |
| Kansas | $48,240 |
| Montana | $46,700 |
| South Carolina | $46,000 |
| Oregon | $45,980 |
| Oklahoma | $45,970 |
| Michigan | $45,850 |
| New Jersey | $45,230 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Food Batchmaker | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $43,190 | $20.76 |
| Baker | $37,210 | $17.89 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,750 | $35.94 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,090 | $26.49 |
| 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 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,910 | $23.51 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-3023. 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 slaughterers and meat packers make in Iowa?
The median salary for slaughterers and meat packers in Iowa is $43,820 a year, or $21.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid slaughterers and meat packers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of slaughterers and meat packers in Iowa earn at least $46,060 a year. The top 25% earn $44,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for slaughterers and meat packers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,750 a year, and a quarter of slaughterers and meat packers earn $39,730 or less.
How many slaughterers and meat packers work in Iowa?
About 4,220 slaughterers and meat packers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.