Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawings earn $51,490 at the median — $24.75 an hour. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $51K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.7), which stretches that salary to about $56,150 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,318/month — about 39% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $51K get you in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
About woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawings
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Entry-level woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawings (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K.Top earners bring in $51K or more - a $5K spread from bottom to top.
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $50K | +24% | 1,430 |
| Oregon | $49K | +22% | 2,030 |
| Minnesota | $49K | +21% | 720 |
| Montana | $48K | +19% | 350 |
| Iowa | $48K | +18% | 1,570 |
| Nebraska | $48K | +18% | 410 |
| Rhode Island | $48K | +18% | 80 |
| Michigan | $46K | +14% | 4,810 |
| Louisiana | $46K | +14% | 440 |
| New Hampshire | $46K | +14% | 520 |
| Nevada | $46K | +13% | 350 |
| Idaho | $46K | +13% | 780 |
| Maryland | $46K | +13% | 130 |
| California | $45K | +11% | 3,440 |
| Connecticut | $45K | +11% | 130 |
Track woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Des Moines-West Des Moines numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
How much do woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawings make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median is $51,490 a year - that works out to about $24.75 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,180, and experienced woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawings can clear $51,490. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,408/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,318/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 38.7% 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 woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing 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 woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing salary is worth about $56,150 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawings 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.