Iowa Median
$60,440
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.06
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-23% vs US median
US median $78,120
State Rank
#29 of 35
490 employed here
How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in Iowa?
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Iowa take home a median of $60,440 annually — roughly $29.06 an hour — which runs 23% below the national median of $78,120.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $46,220 while the top 10% make $65,850 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,630 and $62,540 a year.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,220 | $22.22 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $50,630 | $24.34 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,440 | $29.06 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $62,540 | $30.07 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,850 | $31.66 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 29th out of 35 states and territories for Chemical Plant and System Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in other states
Florida $128,830Wyoming $107,810Texas $102,750Louisiana $100,060Kentucky $97,550Maryland $95,150Alabama $91,610Arkansas $91,610California $87,550Oregon $87,110New Jersey $86,820Massachusetts $83,710Idaho $82,980West Virginia $81,710New Mexico $72,610Michigan $72,430Mississippi $71,080Pennsylvania $70,110South Carolina $68,510Ohio $67,580Minnesota $66,500Illinois $65,710Utah $63,460Virginia $63,000New York $62,980North Carolina $62,920Colorado $62,870Wisconsin $62,720Washington $60,120South Dakota $59,970Missouri $55,470Georgia $49,230Indiana $49,110Tennessee $45,830
Working as Chemical Plant and System Operators in Iowa
Nationally, about 17,000 people work as Chemical Plant and System Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($60,440) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in Iowa?
The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Iowa is $60,440 per year, or about $29.06 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,220 at the entry level to $65,850 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Chemical Plant and System Operators about 23% less than the national median of $78,120. Iowa ranks 29th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Chemical Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,440 a year. About 490 Chemical Plant and System Operators are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Chemical Plant and System Operators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.