Power Plant Operator salary in Iowa
Power Plant Operators in Iowa earn a median of $100,500 a year ($48.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,690 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $102,040. Iowa ranks 28th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. 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 $93,580, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| 25th percentile | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Median | $100,500 | $48.32 |
| 75th percentile | $104,480 | $50.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,690 | $52.74 |
| Average (mean) | $93,580 | $44.99 |
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 | $8,375 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,187.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,865.38 |
| Weekly | $1,932.69 |
| Hourly | $48.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Power Plant Operator salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $106,520 | 80 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $104,920 | 40 |
| 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 |
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 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $92,970 | $44.70 |
| 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 51-8013. 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 Iowa?
The median salary for power plant operators in Iowa is $100,500 a year, or $48.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Iowa?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Iowa earn at least $109,690 a year. The top 25% earn $104,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,320 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $78,060 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Iowa?
About 470 power plant operators are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.