Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Iowa
In Iowa, water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $59,400 at the median — $28.56 an hour. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $74K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $59K get you in Iowa?
About water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $59K. Top earners bring in $74K or more, a $28K spread from bottom to top.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary by metro in Iowa
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City | $67K | +13% | 100 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $67K | +12% | 290 |
| Cedar Rapids | $64K | +8% | 130 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $63K | +6% | 110 |
| Ames | $62K | +4% | 60 |
| Dubuque | $62K | +4% | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $61K | +4% | 190 |
| Sioux City | $61K | +2% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
How much do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Iowa?
The median is $59,400 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,650, and experienced water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators can clear $73,960. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $59K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,900/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 27.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a water and wastewater treatment 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 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators salary is worth about $66,847 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do water and wastewater treatment 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.