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What is the average salary in Altoona, IA?

The average salary in Altoona, IA is $45,074 per year.

In Altoona, IA, job opportunities come with a variety of salary ranges. The average yearly salary stands at $45,074. This figure provides a baseline for understanding the earnings potential in the area. A significant portion of jobs, around 26.12%, falls within the salary range of $23,500 to $32,709 annually. This range suggests that many positions offer decent pay for entry-level or mid-career professionals.

Altoona, IA also provides opportunities for higher earnings. About 31.94% of jobs offer salaries between $32,709 and $41,918. Higher-paying positions include roles that require specialized skills or experience. Additionally, the top earners in Altoona, IA, who make up 1.58% of the workforce, enjoy salaries over $97,173 annually. These figures indicate a diverse job market with room for growth and advancement.

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What are the best paying jobs in Altoona, IA?

Looking for a well-paying job in Altoona, IA? Several roles stand out for their higher earning potential. At the top, General Managers earn an average salary of around $64,586 per year. This role involves overseeing business operations, ensuring smooth daily activities, and managing staff. Maintenance Technicians also earn a solid income, averaging about $46,402 annually. Their work focuses on keeping facilities and equipment running smoothly. Next on the list are Store Managers, who average around $41,332 each year. They manage day-to-day store operations, oversee staff, and ensure customer satisfaction. Shift Leaders also earn a respectable income, with an average salary of around $35,266 annually. This position involves supervising staff and ensuring that shifts run efficiently. These roles offer good earning potential and valuable job experience.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Altoona, IA, highlighting General Manager with the highest at $64,586 and Sales Associate with the lowest at $31,238.
  1. General Manager
    Average Salary: $64,586
    Oversee store operations and staff. Ensure smooth daily functions and customer satisfaction. Often work with local businesses to boost sales.
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  2. Maintenance Technician
    Average Salary: $46,402
    Fix and maintain equipment and facilities. Keep everything running smoothly. Work in areas like hotels or manufacturing.
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  3. Store Manager
    Average Salary: $41,332
    Lead and manage store staff. Make sure sales targets are met. Work in various retail environments, including supermarkets.
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  4. Shift Leader
    Average Salary: $35,266
    Supervise staff during a specific time period. Ensure tasks are completed. Often work in retail, restaurants, or warehouses.
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  5. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $34,727
    Prepare ingredients and cook food items. Work in fast-paced environments. Often work in restaurants or food service.
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  6. Cashier
    Average Salary: $32,799
    Handle transactions at a register. Provide excellent customer service. Work in retail stores and supermarkets.
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  7. Team Member
    Average Salary: $32,174
    Perform various tasks to support store operations. Work in a team to achieve goals. Often work in retail or food service.
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  8. Sales Associate
    Average Salary: $31,238
    Help customers find products and complete purchases. Provide excellent customer service. Work in retail stores and boutiques.
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What are the best paying jobs in Altoona, IA without a degree?

Job seekers in Altoona, IA, have access to several high-paying roles that do not require a college degree. Among these, servers earn the highest average salary at $36,551 per year. This field offers excellent earning potential with flexible hours, making it a viable option for those without higher education. In addition to servers, line cooks and housekeeping staff also provide good income opportunities. Line cooks can expect to earn around $34,727 annually, while housekeeping roles offer a salary of approximately $32,970 per year. These positions provide stable and lucrative career paths that do not demand a degree, allowing individuals to achieve financial success in Altoona.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Altoona, IA without a degree, highlighting Server with the highest at $36,551 and Server Assistant with the lowest at $23,857.
  1. Server
    Average Salary: $36,551
    Serve customers in a friendly manner. Take orders and serve food and beverages. Work in a team to ensure a great dining experience. Restaurants like The Village Inn and local cafes offer these jobs.
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  2. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $34,727
    Prepare food quickly and efficiently. Work in a fast-paced environment. Follow recipes and maintain food safety standards. Local eateries and hotels provide these positions.
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  3. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $32,970
    Clean and maintain rooms. Ensure a clean and welcoming environment for guests. Work in hotels or other lodging facilities. The Holiday Inn and local bed-and-breakfasts hire for these roles.
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  4. Dishwasher
    Average Salary: $31,291
    Clean dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment. Maintain a clean and organized kitchen. Work in busy restaurants or cafes. Places like local diners and food trucks need these workers.
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  5. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $23,857
    Help servers with tasks. Ensure tables are set and stocked. Work in a team to assist with the dining experience. Many restaurants and cafes look for these helpers.
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Which companies offer the top salaries in Altoona, IA?

Job seekers in Altoona, IA, have several companies to consider for competitive salaries. Ziegler CAT leads the way with an average salary of $67,178. This company offers top compensation among local employers. Additionally, Kwik Trip provides a solid average salary of $46,136, making it another attractive option for those seeking good pay. In Altoona, IA, other companies also offer decent salaries. Southeast Polk Community School District pays an average of $43,436, while Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, Inc. provides $40,165 on average. Pizza Ranch Altoona, Balance Autism, Rocket Carwash, and Pancho’s Mexican Grill offer average salaries ranging from $38,601 to $31,575. These figures show that job seekers have various opportunities with different pay levels available in the area.
Graph displaying company salaries in Altoona, IA, highlighting Ziegler CAT with the highest at $67,178 and Pancheros Mexican Grill with the lowest at $30,444.
  1. Ziegler CAT
    Average Salary: $67,178
    Ziegler CAT is a leading dealer for Caterpillar equipment. They offer jobs in sales, service, and parts. Ziegler CAT is known for its strong benefits and opportunities for career growth.


  2. Kwik Trip
    Average Salary: $46,136
    Kwik Trip is a popular convenience store chain. They offer a variety of positions from retail sales to management. The company is known for its good work environment and competitive pay.


  3. Southeast Polk Community School District
    Average Salary: $43,436
    The Southeast Polk Community School District provides education services. They offer teaching, administrative, and support staff positions. They value professional development and community involvement.


  4. Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, Inc.
    Average Salary: $40,165
    Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino offers jobs in gaming, hospitality, and entertainment. It is a major employer in Altoona, offering a variety of opportunities for growth and development.


  5. Pizza Ranch Altoona
    Average Salary: $38,601
    Pizza Ranch Altoona is part of a chain of family-owned pizza restaurants. They offer positions in kitchen and server roles. It is a great place for those who enjoy the fast-paced restaurant environment.


  6. Balance Autism
    Average Salary: $38,134
    Balance Autism provides services for individuals with autism. They offer roles in therapy and support services. The company is dedicated to improving the lives of those they serve.


  7. Rocket Carwash
    Average Salary: $31,575
    Rocket Carwash offers car washing services. They provide positions for car wash attendants and managers. It is a good option for those looking for steady, hands-on work.


  8. Pancheros Mexican Grill
    Average Salary: $30,444
    Pancheros Mexican Grill is a fast-casual restaurant. They offer positions in food preparation and customer service. It is a lively workplace with a focus on quality food and service.

How does the cost of living in Altoona, IA compare to the national average?

Altoona, IA, exhibits a cost of living index that is generally below the nationwide average, which stands at 100. Specifically, the overall cost of living index for Altoona is 89.2, indicating that it is about 10.8% cheaper than the national average. This reduced cost can be largely attributed to lower housing and transportation expenses, with housing at 80 and transportation at 85. For job seekers considering Altoona, the lower cost of living could provide significant savings. While housing costs are 20% below the national average, other expenses like groceries and healthcare remain close to the national average. This balance makes Altoona a potentially attractive option for those looking to reduce their overall living expenses without compromising on quality of life.
Cost of living comparison graph for Altoona, IA vs. Nationwide: housing 20% lower, groceries 5% lower, utilities 10% lower, transportation 15% lower, healthcare 0% lower, miscellaneous 8% lower.

Altoona, IA, presents a cost of living that is slightly below the nationwide average. Specifically, the housing index stands at 80, which is 20% lower than the national benchmark of 100. This means that, on average, housing costs in Altoona are less expensive for residents and job seekers.


The transportation index in Altoona is also slightly lower at 85, which is 15% below the national average. This indicates that commuting and related expenses are more affordable compared to the nationwide standard. However, groceries in Altoona are relatively close to the average, with an index of 95, only 5% below the 100 mark. Utilities and miscellaneous expenses are slightly above the national average, at 90 and 92, respectively. These figures suggest that while some aspects of living in Altoona are cheaper, others are comparable to the national costs.

There are 210 job openings in Altoona, IA, today!

Take a deeper dive into the job market in Altoona, IA

Discover what it's like to work in Altoona, IA. Learn if you need a car, explore popular employers, the job market, and the best neighborhoods to live in.
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Altoona, IA
210 Job Openings