Helpers--Production Workers Salary
In Iowa, helpers--production workers earn $45,560 at the median, or about $21.91 an hour. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $54K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $51,272 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,064/month, about 34.2% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $46K get you in Iowa?
About helpers--production workers
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What this looks like in Iowa
Iowa sits well above the national pay line for helpers--production workers, local pay runs about 17% higher than the U.S. median of $39K. Rent runs $1,064/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 35% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.86 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level helpers--production workers (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $46K. Top earners bring in $54K or more, a $20K spread from bottom to top.
Helpers--Production Workers salary by metro in Iowa
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $52K | +14% | 200 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $49K | +6% | 420 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $47K | +3% | 110 |
| Sioux City | $44K | -3% | 180 |
| Cedar Rapids | $42K | -8% | 50 |
| Ames | $39K | -14% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track helpers--production workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a helpers--production worker afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $46K, rent takes 35% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,064/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $900/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for helpers--production workers in Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new helpers--production workers typically earn — is $35K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,091/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 51% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is helpers--production worker a high-paying job in Iowa?
Local pay is 17% above the national median — $46K here vs. $39K nationally.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for helpers--production workers?
Iowa pays $46K median vs. the U.S. average of $39K — that’s +17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $51K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do helpers--production workers make in Iowa?
The median is $45,560 a year, that works out to about $22 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,850, and experienced helpers--production workers can clear $54,390. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $46K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,039/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 35% 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 helpers--production workers salary go in Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 88.86 (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 helpers--production workers salary is worth about $51,272 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do helpers--production workers 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.