As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Laborer in Iowa is $42,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.
However, a General Laborer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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General Laborer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $47,425 | $3,952 | $912 | $23 |
| Average | $42,200 | $3,517 | $812 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,329 | $3,277 | $756 | $19 |
Aerotek - Eagle Grove, IA
Ag Processing Inc - Eagle Grove, IA
East Penn Manufacturing - Oelwein, IA
Tradesmen International - Eldridge, IA
A General Laborer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a General Laborer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level General Laborer | $41,686 |
| Intermediate Level General Laborer | $42,200 |
| Senior Level General Laborer | $43,916 |
| Specialist Level General Laborer | $44,150 |
| Expert Level General Laborer | $44,540 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract General Laborers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
General Laborer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $47,200. While startup companies pay approximate $39,917.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $39,917 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $42,219 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $45,581 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $47,200 |
For General Laborer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, General Laborer positions in Healthcare or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view General Laborer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $59,080 | $28.0 | 40% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $56,970 | $27.0 | 35% |
| Biotechnology | $54,860 | $26.0 | 30% |
| Financial Services | $52,750 | $25.0 | 25% |
| Insurance | $50,640 | $24.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a General Laborer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $47,425 | $3,952 | $912 | $23 |
| Average | $42,200 | $3,517 | $812 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,329 | $3,277 | $756 | $19 |
For a General Laborer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the General Laborer, Sr. role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $46,890 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current General Laborer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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