Power Plant Operator salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Power Plant Operators in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median of $104,920 a year ($50.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $103,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,920 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $100,500. There are 0.30 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $102,850, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $103,890 | $49.95 |
| 25th percentile | $103,890 | $49.95 |
| Median | $104,920 | $50.44 |
| 75th percentile | $104,920 | $50.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,920 | $50.44 |
| Average (mean) | $102,850 | $49.45 |
Half of power 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 | $8,743.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,371.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,035.38 |
| Weekly | $2,017.69 |
| Hourly | $50.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Power Plant Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $106,520 | 80 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $100,700 | n/a |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $76,550 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for power plant operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $131,620 |
| Nevada | $131,400 |
| New Jersey | $131,370 |
| Idaho | $124,440 |
| North Dakota | $122,160 |
| Hawaii | $121,700 |
| Tennessee | $115,920 |
| Maryland | $111,260 |
| Oregon | $109,830 |
| North Carolina | $108,300 |
See Power Plant Operator pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $62,800 | $30.19 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $44,000 | $21.15 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $42,760 | $20.56 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $67,700 | $32.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $72,640 | $34.92 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,420 | $23.76 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $56,750 | $27.28 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $53,940 | $25.93 |
| Food Batchmaker | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $64,670 | $31.09 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $83,470 | $40.13 |
| Printing Press Operator | $42,970 | $20.66 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Cedar Rapids, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8013. 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 power plant operator make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $104,920 a year, or $50.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $103,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn at least $104,920 a year. The top 25% earn $104,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $103,890 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $103,890 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Cedar Rapids, IA?
About 40 power plant operators are employed in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.