Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Iowa
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Iowa earn a median of $60,440 a year ($29.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,850 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $78,120. Iowa ranks 29th of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.31 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,320, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| 25th percentile | $50,630 | $24.34 |
| Median | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| 75th percentile | $62,540 | $30.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,850 | $31.66 |
| Average (mean) | $58,320 | $28.04 |
Half of chemical plant and system operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,036.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,518.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,324.62 |
| Weekly | $1,162.31 |
| Hourly | $29.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $60,990 | $29.32 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $92,970 | $44.70 |
| Power Plant Operator | $100,500 | $48.32 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $67,450 | $32.43 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $90,160 | $43.34 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,750 | $35.94 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,090 | $26.49 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,740 | $24.40 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $52,300 | $25.15 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical plant and system operators make in Iowa?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in Iowa is $60,440 a year, or $29.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Iowa?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in Iowa earn at least $65,850 a year. The top 25% earn $62,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,220 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $50,630 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Iowa?
About 490 chemical plant and system operators are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.