Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators Salary in Iowa

Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators in Iowa earn the most in Waterloo (average $62,330 a year) and the least in Cedar Rapids ($56,560), across the 4 Iowa metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators average at $60,640 and the median at $60,530 for 1,040 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $59,430.

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators average salary by city in Iowa

Waterloo$62,330
Des Moines$60,990
Davenport$60,110
Cedar Rapids$56,560

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Waterloo	$62,330	$61,570	$54,330	$50,505	87
Des Moines	$60,990	$60,530	$50,770	$49,480	92
Davenport	$60,110	$58,470	$54,330	$48,806	89
Cedar Rapids	$56,560	$57,430	$47,440	$46,088	89

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators salary in other states

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators salary by city and state

More about pay in Iowa

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 43-5053.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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