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Helpers--Production Workers Salary in Waterloo, IA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Helpers--Production Workers in Waterloo, IA have a median annual salary of $48,520, with 420 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $40,900 at the 10th percentile to $50,030 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$48,520

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$23.33

Employment

420

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$40,900
10th
$42,840
25th
$48,520
Median
$50,030
75th
$50,030
90th

Local compared with national

Waterloo, IA

$48,520

Median annual · 2025

United States

$39,070

Median annual · 2025

The Waterloo, IA median is 24.2% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $9,450).

Top skills

  1. 1.Active ListeningImportance 2.8
  2. 2.MonitoringImportance 2.8
  3. 3.Operations MonitoringImportance 2.8
  4. 4.Operation and ControlImportance 2.8
  5. 5.Reading ComprehensionImportance 2.6
  6. 6.SpeakingImportance 2.6
  7. 7.Critical ThinkingImportance 2.6
  8. 8.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 2.6
  9. 9.Social PerceptivenessImportance 2.5
  10. 10.CoordinationImportance 2.5
  11. 11.Active LearningImportance 2.1
  12. 12.Equipment MaintenanceImportance 2.1

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Less than a High School Diploma
Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Operational databases
  • SAP software

Common tasks

  • Start machines or equipment to begin production processes.
  • Lift raw materials, finished products, and packed items, manually or using hoists.
  • Mark or tag identification on parts.
  • Observe equipment operations so that malfunctions can be detected, and notify operators of any malfunctions.
  • Count finished products to determine if product orders are complete.
  • Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards.
  • Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators.
  • Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances.
  • Remove products, machine attachments, or waste material from machines.
  • Separate products according to weight, grade, size, or composition of materials used to produce them.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Helpers--Production Workers salary in other locations

Other occupations in Waterloo, IA