Gas Plant Operator salary in Iowa
Gas Plant Operators in Iowa earn a median of $92,970 a year ($44.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,480 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $87,820. Iowa ranks 20th of 43 states for gas plant operators pay. There are 0.31 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $86,690, close to the median.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| 25th percentile | $82,510 | $39.67 |
| Median | $92,970 | $44.70 |
| 75th percentile | $96,800 | $46.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,480 | $48.31 |
| Average (mean) | $86,690 | $41.68 |
Half of gas plant 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 | $7,747.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,873.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,575.77 |
| Weekly | $1,787.88 |
| Hourly | $44.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Gas Plant Operator salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $95,260 | 100 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $92,970 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $91,320 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for gas plant operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $130,220 |
| New Jersey | $110,900 |
| Oregon | $109,760 |
| Connecticut | $109,060 |
| Louisiana | $108,350 |
| Arizona | $104,600 |
| Massachusetts | $103,830 |
| Maryland | $102,950 |
| South Dakota | $101,450 |
| Arkansas | $100,870 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $60,990 | $29.32 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| 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 51-8092. 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 gas plant operator make in Iowa?
The median salary for gas plant operators in Iowa is $92,970 a year, or $44.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Iowa?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in Iowa earn at least $100,480 a year. The top 25% earn $96,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,840 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $82,510 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Iowa?
About 480 gas plant operators are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.