Power Plant Operator salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Power Plant Operators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $76,550 a year ($36.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,060 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 24% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $100,500. There are 0.36 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $83,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| 25th percentile | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| Median | $76,550 | $36.80 |
| 75th percentile | $103,060 | $49.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,060 | $49.55 |
| Average (mean) | $83,090 | $39.95 |
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 | $6,379.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,189.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,944.23 |
| Weekly | $1,472.12 |
| Hourly | $36.80 |
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 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $104,920 | 40 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $100,700 | n/a |
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,890 | $30.72 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $51,600 | $24.81 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $51,250 | $24.64 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,370 | $36.24 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $48,520 | $23.33 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| Machinist | $58,100 | $27.93 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $76,550 a year, or $36.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $103,060 a year. The top 25% earn $103,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,010 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $60,010 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 30 power plant operators are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.