Power Plant Operator salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Power Plant Operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $100,700 a year ($48.42 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $61,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,430 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $100,500. The average (mean) salary is $92,510, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,210 | $29.43 |
| 25th percentile | $77,370 | $37.20 |
| Median | $100,700 | $48.42 |
| 75th percentile | $100,820 | $48.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,430 | $61.75 |
| Average (mean) | $92,510 | $44.48 |
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 | $8,391.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,195.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,873.08 |
| Weekly | $1,936.54 |
| Hourly | $48.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $100,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Power Plant Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $106,520 | 80 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $104,920 | 40 |
| 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $67,450 | $32.43 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $95,260 | $45.80 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $71,150 | $34.21 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,850 | $24.45 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Baker | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| Printing Press Operator | $43,450 | $20.89 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Food Batchmaker | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,700 | $23.42 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $100,700 a year, or $48.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $128,430 a year. The top 25% earn $100,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,210 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $77,370 or less.