Salary guide, May 2025
Packaging Operator pay in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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The median annual wage for Industrial Machinery Mechanics in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA was $77,850 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $60,280 and $79,290.
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA median is $13,330 above the national median of $64,520, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Packaging Operator is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
What should you know about waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $51,210 | $60,280 | $77,850 | $79,290 | $79,350 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $24.62 | $28.98 | $37.43 | $38.12 | $38.15 |
BLS estimated 510 workers employed in this occupation in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA. Location quotient: 2.14.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $46,120 | $55,010 | $64,520 | $78,780 | $95,170 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $22.17 | $26.45 | $31.02 | $37.88 | $45.76 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Packaging Operator median is $77,850. The all-occupations median in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $47,430. Ratio: 1.64 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 2.14 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $52,270 | $63,960 | $74,730 |
| May 2025 | $60,280 | $77,850 | $79,290 |
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 49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA. 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 49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $73,800 | $60,460 to $80,590 |
| Ames, IA | $67,250 | $60,190 to $79,180 |
All roles in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA · National page · Packaging Operator ranked across metros