Salary guide, May 2025
Foundry Molder / Melt Operator pay in Iowa
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Iowa was $55,090 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $48,250 and $60,200.
The Iowa median is $1,340 above the national median of $53,750, both from BLS May 2025.
Direct match · SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
The Foundry Molder / Melt Operator title maps to the published occupation. The duties align, but BLS combines employers and industries.
What should you know about iowa?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $45,590 | $48,250 | $55,090 | $60,200 | $65,250 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $21.92 | $23.20 | $26.49 | $28.94 | $31.37 |
BLS estimated 9,270 workers employed in this occupation in Iowa. Location quotient: 2.22.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,240 | $46,790 | $53,750 | $63,010 | $77,530 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.87 | $22.50 | $25.84 | $30.29 | $37.28 |
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $46,140 | $49,450 | $58,260 |
| May 2025 | $48,250 | $55,090 | $60,200 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, Iowa. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $58,560 | $49,250 to $60,310 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $59,980 | $49,520 to $61,650 |
All roles in Iowa · National page · Foundry Molder / Melt Operator ranked across metros