Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
The median pay for a packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $44,180/year ($21.24/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $34K at the entry level to $50K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.06), which stretches that salary to about $50,747 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,051/month — about 34.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $44K get you in Waterloo-Cedar Falls?
About packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Entry-level packaging and filling machine operators and tenders (10th percentile) start around $34K. Mid-career wages sit at $44K.Top earners bring in $50K or more - a $16K spread from bottom to top.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $49K | +19% | 380 |
| Maine | $48K | +17% | 1,480 |
| West Virginia | $47K | +16% | 950 |
| Missouri | $47K | +15% | 10,380 |
| Idaho | $46K | +14% | 3,390 |
| New Hampshire | $46K | +13% | 550 |
| Virginia | $46K | +13% | 6,890 |
| Tennessee | $46K | +11% | 7,600 |
| North Dakota | $45K | +11% | 910 |
| Nebraska | $45K | +9% | 3,800 |
| Wisconsin | $44K | +8% | 16,500 |
| Iowa | $44K | +7% | 7,460 |
| Vermont | $44K | +7% | 830 |
| California | $44K | +7% | 45,330 |
| Pennsylvania | $43K | +6% | 18,940 |
Track packaging and filling machine operators and tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Waterloo-Cedar Falls numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median is $44,180 a year - that works out to about $21.24 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,380, and experienced packaging and filling machine operators and tenders can clear $50,390. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $44K enough to live in Waterloo-Cedar Falls?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,954/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,051/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 35.6% 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 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders salary go in Waterloo-Cedar Falls?
Waterloo-Cedar Falls has a Regional Price Parity of 87.06 (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 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders salary is worth about $50,747 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do packaging and filling machine 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.