Power Plant Operators Salary in Iowa
The median pay for a power plant operators in Iowa is $98,880/year ($47.54/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $106K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $99K get you in Iowa?
About power plant operators
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level power plant operators (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $99K. Top earners bring in $106K or more, a $46K spread from bottom to top.
Power Plant Operators salary by metro in Iowa
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $102K | +3% | 50 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $70K | -29% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track power plant operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do power plant operators make in Iowa?
The median is $98,880 a year, that works out to about $48 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,700, and experienced power plant operators can clear $106,250. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $99K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,061/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 17.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a power plant 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 power plant operators salary is worth about $111,276 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do power plant 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.