Dredge Operator salary in Iowa
Dredge Operators in Iowa earn a median of $57,990 a year ($27.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,580 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $49,640. Iowa ranks 3rd of 9 states for dredge operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.04 dredge operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dredge operators in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,060 | $26.95 |
| 25th percentile | $57,500 | $27.64 |
| Median | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| 75th percentile | $60,000 | $28.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,580 | $33.45 |
| Average (mean) | $60,620 | $29.14 |
Half of dredge 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 | $4,832.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,416.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,230.38 |
| Weekly | $1,115.19 |
| Hourly | $27.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for dredge operators
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,470 | $18.02 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $49,850 | $23.97 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $56,900 | $27.36 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $45,250 | $21.75 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $51,450 | $24.74 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $50,960 | $24.50 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,750 | $20.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,490 | $29.08 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7031. 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 dredge operator make in Iowa?
The median salary for dredge operators in Iowa is $57,990 a year, or $27.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dredge operators make in Iowa?
The top 10% of dredge operators in Iowa earn at least $69,580 a year. The top 25% earn $60,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for dredge operators in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,060 a year, and a quarter of dredge operators earn $57,500 or less.
How many dredge operators work in Iowa?
About 60 dredge operators are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.