Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in Iowa

In Iowa, the median pay for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $23.19 an hour ($48,240 a year). About 2,030 people work in this job there.

$23.19Median hourly pay

$40,120–$52,730Middle half of workers, yearly

2,030People in this job in Iowa

That is 4% higher than the U.S. median ($46,330). Iowa ranks 14th of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Iowa

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$17.57	$36,550
25% of workers	$19.29	$40,120
Half of workers (median)	$23.19	$48,240
75% of workers	$25.35	$52,730
90% of workers	$27.64	$57,490

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in Iowa metro areas

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Dubuque	$49,740	130
Waterloo-Cedar Falls	$49,600	70
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island	$49,430	220
Des Moines-West Des Moines	$48,510	200
Cedar Rapids	$46,170	100
Sioux City	$40,680	60

Iowa unemployment rate: 3.2% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
Job outlook: -10.5% over ten years, declining · about 13,200 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in Iowa

Job	Median yearly pay
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$48,910
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing	$51,200
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$49,600
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$46,380
Tool and Die Makers	$65,000
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$72,670
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	$55,090
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$45,220

Other job titles for this job

Perforator OperatorBillet CutterBolt CutterNotcherPress Brake OperatorMachine SetterSaw OperatorManufacturing OperatorSetup OperatorAngle Shear OperatorAngle Shear Setup OperatorArbor Press Operator

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.