Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA make a median of $65,560 a year, or about $31.52 an hour. The range runs from $43K at the entry level to $66K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.7), which stretches that salary to about $71,494 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,318/month — about 30.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $66K get you in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
About cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Entry-level cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders (10th percentile) start around $43K. Mid-career wages sit at $66K.Top earners bring in $66K or more - a $22K spread from bottom to top.
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $56K | +23% | 1,330 |
| Illinois | $52K | +15% | 1,390 |
| Iowa | $52K | +14% | 880 |
| New Hampshire | $52K | +14% | 110 |
| Wisconsin | $51K | +11% | 1,620 |
| Missouri | $50K | +10% | 1,210 |
| Maine | $49K | +7% | 230 |
| Oregon | $49K | +7% | 900 |
| Washington | $48K | +6% | 980 |
| Nevada | $48K | +5% | 280 |
| Mississippi | $48K | +5% | 510 |
| Pennsylvania | $48K | +4% | 1,720 |
| Idaho | $47K | +3% | 100 |
| North Dakota | $47K | +3% | 60 |
| New York | $47K | +3% | 2,160 |
Track cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Des Moines-West Des Moines numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median is $65,560 a year - that works out to about $31.52 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $43,110, and experienced cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders can clear $65,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $66K enough to live in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,266/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,318/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 30.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders salary go in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
Des Moines-West Des Moines has a Regional Price Parity of 91.7 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders salary is worth about $71,494 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.