Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in Iowa

Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders in Iowa earn the most in Sioux City (average $56,540 a year) and the least in Des Moines ($51,250), across the 3 Iowa metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders average at $55,970 and the median at $52,220 for 1,090 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $56,030.

Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders average salary by city in Iowa

Sioux City$56,540
Davenport$51,330
Des Moines$51,250

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Sioux City	$56,540	$56,850	$51,460	$46,073	86
Davenport	$51,330	$54,830	$40,970	$42,085	89
Des Moines	$51,250	$50,470	$44,010	$42,024	92

*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.

Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in other states

Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 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 51-9012.
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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