Crematory Operator Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Crematory Operators in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$35,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $43,650
State Rank
#22 of 24
state estimate

How much does a Crematory Operator make in Iowa?

Crematory Operators in Iowa take home a median of $35,120 annually — roughly $16.88 an hour — which runs 20% below the national median of $43,650.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $33,610 while the top 10% make $44,330 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,610 and $35,980 a year.

Crematory Operator salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$33,610$16.16
25th percentile (early career)$33,610$16.16
50th percentile (median)$35,120$16.88
75th percentile (experienced)$35,980$17.30
90th percentile (top earners)$44,330$21.31

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 22nd out of 24 states and territories for Crematory Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Wisconsin$64,220
2Massachusetts$56,050
3Washington$53,580
4Colorado$52,060
5Delaware$50,320

Working as a Crematory Operator in Iowa

Nationally, about 3,000 people work as Crematory 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 ($35,120) 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 does a Crematory Operator make in Iowa?
The median Crematory Operator salary in Iowa is $35,120 per year, or about $16.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,610 at the entry level to $44,330 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Crematory Operators about 20% less than the national median of $43,650. Iowa ranks 22nd out of 24 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Crematory Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $35,120 a year. 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 Crematory Operator 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.