Skip to content
AffordMap
Production & Manufacturing

Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Iowa

Chemical Plant and System Operators in Iowa make a median of $60,100 a year, or about $28.9 an hour. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $64K for experienced workers.

Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Iowa. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.

$60K
Median annual
$28.9/hr
Hourly rate
$50K
Entry level (10th %)
$64K
Senior level (90th %)

So what does $60K get you in Iowa?

Estimated monthly take-home$3,944/mo
Median 2BR rent-$1,064/mo
Rent as % of take-home27% (within guideline)
Cost-of-living adjusted salary$67,634/yr
Monthly remaining after rent$2,880/mo

About chemical plant and system operators

Category: Production & Manufacturing

Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more

Find trade jobs near you
Currently hiring in Iowa
View (opens in new tab)

Compensation breakdown

Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa

Bar chart showing Chemical Plant and System Operators salary percentiles in Iowa: 10th percentile $49,980, 25th percentile $51,770, median $60,100, 75th percentile $61,590, 90th percentile $63,690. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.10th$50K25th$52KMedian$60K75th$62K90th$64K
Bar chart showing Chemical Plant and System Operators salary percentiles in Iowa: 10th percentile $49,980, 25th percentile $51,770, median $60,100, 75th percentile $61,590, 90th percentile $63,690. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level chemical plant and system operators (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K. Top earners bring in $64K or more, a $14K spread from bottom to top.

Share

Compare to other states

Track chemical plant and system operators salary changes

BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.

More trade openings
Currently hiring in Iowa
View (opens in new tab)
Find accredited trade programs
Apprenticeship and certification paths
View (opens in new tab)
Would this salary go further somewhere else?
Compare your purchasing power across cities
Compare →
How do you get into this field?
Education, licensing, and what the career path looks like
Read guide →

Related careers in Production & Manufacturing

Frequently asked questions

How much do chemical plant and system operators make in Iowa?

The median is $60,100 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,980, and experienced chemical plant and system operators can clear $63,690. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

Is $60K enough to live in Iowa?

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,944/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 27% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.

How far does a chemical plant and system operators salary go in Iowa?

Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chemical plant and system operators salary is worth about $67,634 in national-average purchasing power.

Where do chemical plant and system operators get paid the most?

The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.

All careers in Iowa
Top-paying jobs, rent, and cost of living
Location hub →

People also searched