Salary guide, May 2025
Retort / Thermal Process Operator pay in Cedar Rapids, IA
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The median annual wage for Production Workers, All Other in Cedar Rapids, IA was $39,250 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $35,940 and $50,950.
The Cedar Rapids, IA median is $860 below the national median of $40,110, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 51-9199 Production Workers, All Other
Retort / Thermal Process 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 cedar Rapids, IA?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $31,570 | $35,940 | $39,250 | $50,950 | $63,460 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15.18 | $17.28 | $18.87 | $24.49 | $30.51 |
BLS estimated 350 workers employed in this occupation in Cedar Rapids, IA. Location quotient: 1.56.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $31,200 | $36,030 | $40,110 | $49,010 | $61,530 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15.00 | $17.32 | $19.29 | $23.56 | $29.58 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Retort / Thermal Process Operator median is $39,250. The all-occupations median in Cedar Rapids, IA is $49,360. Ratio: 0.80 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 1.56 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 | $33,400 | $44,030 | $48,950 |
| May 2025 | $35,940 | $39,250 | $50,950 |
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 51-9199 Production Workers, All Other, Cedar Rapids, 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 51-9199 Production Workers, All Other, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $35,040 | $31,720 to $43,680 |
| Dubuque, IA | $48,750 | $39,400 to $56,630 |
All roles in Cedar Rapids, IA · National page · Retort / Thermal Process Operator ranked across metros