How much does a food processing worker make in Ames?
$43,520a year
Median yearly pay for food processing workers in the Ames, IA metro area. That is $20.92 an hour or $3,627 a month.
- Hourly
- $20.92
- Vs. national median
- +10%
- Rank among cities
- 27 of 150
- Jobs in the area
- 50
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $29,570Median: $43,520Highest 10%: $48,580
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,570 | $14.22 | |
| 25th | $43,520 | $20.92 | |
| Median | $43,520 | $20.92 | |
| 75th | $43,520 | $20.92 | |
| 90th | $48,580 | $23.36 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for food processing workers.
| Sioux City, IA | $46,350 |
| Des Moines, IA | $42,960 |
| Omaha, NE | $42,600 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $41,070 |
Related jobs in Ames
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $74,160 |
| Production Worker | $70,690 |
| Coating | $69,090 |
| Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender | $62,300 |
| Inspector | $61,820 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator | $61,730 |
| Machinist | $60,200 |
| Welder | $58,560 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setter | $52,020 |
| Food Batchmaker | $50,950 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food processing worker make an hour in Ames?
The median hourly pay in the Ames, IA metro area is $20.92 ($43,520 a year).
Do food processing workers make more in Ames than the national average?
Yes: $43,520 against $39,680 nationally, 10% more.
How does Ames compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $41,740, so Ames pays 4% more.
Where does Ames rank for food processing worker pay?
27 of 150 metro areas with data.
How much does a food processing worker make starting out in Ames?
The lowest-paid 10% make $29,570 or less a year; the top 10% make $48,580 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.