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What is the average salary in Altoona, IA?

The average salary in Altoona, IA is $45,598 per year.

Job seekers in Altoona, IA, can find a variety of salary options. The average yearly salary stands at $45,598, offering a solid income for many. Salaries range broadly, from $23,000 to $120,000 annually. This diversity provides many opportunities for different career paths.


The distribution of salaries across different roles helps understand what to expect. For example, some of the top jobs pay around $120,000 per year. On the other end, entry-level roles start at about $23,000. This broad range means there are options for both beginners and experienced professionals. Whether one seeks a lower-paying entry-level job or a higher-paying senior role, Altoona offers opportunities.

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What are the best paying jobs in Altoona, IA?

Altoona, IA, offers a range of rewarding career opportunities with competitive salaries. The highest-paying jobs include roles like General Manager, Maintenance Technician, and Team Member. On average, these positions pay over $33,000 annually, with General Managers earning up to $64,780. In Altoona, individuals can explore various industries for better-paying roles. For instance, General Managers typically manage businesses and earn significantly higher than roles like Line Cooks and Cashiers. This city provides a chance for career growth and financial stability for those seeking well-paying jobs.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Altoona, IA, highlighting General Manager with the highest at $64,780 and Cashier with the lowest at $33,071.
  1. General Manager
    Average Salary: $64,780
    Manages daily operations. Works in hotels, restaurants, and retail stores. Oversees staff and ensures smooth operations.
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  2. Maintenance Technician
    Average Salary: $51,169
    Handles repairs and upkeep. Works in manufacturing and food service. Ensures equipment runs smoothly.
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  3. Team Member
    Average Salary: $35,996
    Helps customers with various tasks. Works in retail and restaurants. Provides excellent customer service.
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  4. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $34,500
    Prepares meals quickly. Works in restaurants and cafes. Follows recipes and maintains hygiene standards.
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  5. Sales Associate
    Average Salary: $33,156
    Assists customers in finding products. Works in retail stores. Provides product information and handles sales.
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  6. Cashier
    Average Salary: $33,071
    Handles cash and card payments. Works in retail and restaurants. Provides accurate transactions.
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What are the best paying jobs in Altoona, IA without a degree?

In Altoona, IA, job seekers have several rewarding career options that offer good pay without needing a college degree. For example, servers can earn around $35,604 a year. This role involves taking orders and serving food and drinks to customers in a restaurant or cafe. Another option is a line cook, where one can expect to make about $34,500 annually. This job requires preparing meals in a fast-paced kitchen environment. Additionally, housekeeping roles provide an average salary of $32,816. These positions involve cleaning and maintaining guest rooms and common areas in hotels and other lodging places. Dishwashers, who clean dishes and utensils, earn about $30,882 a year. Lastly, server assistants can expect to make around $22,863 annually. They help servers by setting tables, clearing dishes, and assisting with other tasks. These roles offer a good income and valuable work experience in Altoona, IA.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Altoona, IA without a degree, highlighting Server with the highest at $35,604 and Server Assistant with the lowest at $22,863.
  1. Server
    Average Salary: $35,604
    Working in Altoona's local restaurants, servers interact with customers and take food orders. Roles can vary at establishments such as Red Lobster and Applebee’s, where attention to detail and customer service skills are key. The job often involves teamwork and communication with kitchen staff to ensure a smooth dining experience.
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  2. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $34,500
    Line cooks prepare ingredients and cook meals in fast-paced kitchens. They work in places like diners and eateries, following recipes and maintaining kitchen cleanliness. The position requires efficiency and teamwork, as cooks must quickly prepare dishes and assist other kitchen staff.
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  3. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $32,816
    Housekeepers clean and maintain rooms in Altoona hotels and lodges. This role involves tidying rooms, changing linens, and ensuring a comfortable environment for guests. Hotels such as Holiday Inn and Best Western rely on housekeepers to provide high standards of cleanliness and comfort to all visitors.
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  4. Dishwasher
    Average Salary: $30,882
    Dishwashers clean dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment. They work in busy restaurants and cafes, ensuring that all items are spotless before the next service. The position involves teamwork in a fast-paced environment, with attention to cleanliness and efficiency to support the kitchen staff.
    Find Dishwasher jobs in Altoona, IA


  5. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $22,863
    Server assistants support servers in providing excellent service to customers. They help with clearing tables, refilling drinks, and setting up dining areas. Roles can be found in various dining establishments where teamwork and customer service skills are essential for a smooth dining experience.
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Which companies offer the top salaries in Altoona, IA?

Companies in Altoona, IA, offer competitive salaries to their employees. Ziegler Caterpillar stands out with an average salary of $68,348, making it the top-paying company in the area. Tmarzetti Company follows closely with an average salary of $46,597. These numbers show a range of opportunities for job seekers looking for good compensation in Altoona. The Southeast Polk Community School District and Prairie Meadows also provide respectable salaries, averaging around $45,000 and $40,500, respectively. Balance Autism, Rocket Carwash, and Pancheros Mexican Grill offer salaries that are still competitive for the local market, with averages around $38,000 and below. Each company provides a different opportunity for individuals seeking various roles within the community.
Graph displaying company salaries in Altoona, IA, highlighting Ziegler Caterpillar with the highest at $68,348 and Pancheros Mexican Grill with the lowest at $30,500.
  1. Ziegler Caterpillar
    Average Salary: $68,348
    Ziegler Caterpillar offers a wide range of heavy equipment and services. They provide jobs for many people in Altoona and pay competitive salaries.


  2. Tmarzetti Company
    Average Salary: $46,597
    Tmarzetti Company has a long history in the area. They focus on providing high-quality products and services. Their employees receive good salaries and benefits.


  3. Southeast Polk Community School District
    Average Salary: $44,979
    This school district offers various jobs for teachers and support staff. They value education and pay their employees well for their important work.


  4. Prairie Meadows
    Average Salary: $40,526
    Prairie Meadows is a popular entertainment venue. It offers jobs in gaming, hospitality, and more. Employees enjoy a good salary and a fun work environment.


  5. Balance Autism
    Average Salary: $37,664
    Balance Autism provides support services for individuals with autism. They offer rewarding jobs that make a difference in people's lives. Their salaries are competitive.


  6. Rocket Carwash
    Average Salary: $31,858
    Rocket Carwash operates multiple locations and offers jobs for car wash attendants and managers. They provide a good salary and flexible work hours.


  7. Pancheros Mexican Grill
    Average Salary: $30,500
    Pancheros Mexican Grill is a popular restaurant known for its delicious food. They offer jobs for kitchen staff and front-of-house employees. Salaries are fair for the industry.

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

The cost of living in Altoona, IA, generally remains below the nationwide average across several key categories. Housing in Altoona stands at 78, which is 22% lower than the national benchmark. Similarly, the other expenses, such as groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous costs, hover around or slightly below the 100 mark, indicating a more affordable living situation for residents.
Cost of living comparison graph for Altoona, IA vs. Nationwide: housing 22% lower, groceries 5% lower, utilities 10% lower, transportation 17% lower, healthcare 8% lower, miscellaneous 12% lower.

The cost of living index for Altoona, IA, provides insights for job seekers considering a move to this area. Housing costs in Altoona are notably lower than the nationwide average, with an index of 78. This means that housing expenses in Altoona are 22% cheaper than the average cost across the nation. For someone relocating, this can translate to significant savings, making housing more affordable compared to many other regions.


Other cost factors also show varying differences from the nationwide average of 100. Groceries in Altoona come in at 95, indicating that they are 5% cheaper than the national average. Utilities are slightly below the national average at 90, representing a 10% reduction in cost. Transportation costs are 83, which is 17% below the average. Healthcare costs in Altoona, at 92, are 8% lower than the national average, offering potential savings in this essential area. Miscellaneous expenses are also slightly lower, at an index of 88, which reflects an overall 12% reduction in miscellaneous costs compared to the national average. These indices show that Altoona presents a generally favorable cost of living for those relocating.

There are 206 job openings in Altoona, IA, today!

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

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Altoona, IA
206 Job Openings