Dredge Operator Salary in Iowa (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$57,990
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+17% vs US median
US median $49,640
State Rank
#3 of 9
60 employed here

How much does a Dredge Operator make in Iowa?

Dredge Operators in Iowa take home a median of $57,990 annually — roughly $27.88 an hour — which runs 17% above the national median of $49,640.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $56,060 while the top 10% make $69,580 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,500 and $60,000 a year.

Dredge Operator salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$56,060$26.95
25th percentile (early career)$57,500$27.64
50th percentile (median)$57,990$27.88
75th percentile (experienced)$60,000$28.85
90th percentile (top earners)$69,580$33.45

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 3rd out of 9 states and territories for Dredge Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Texas$65,580
2New Jersey$63,810
3Iowa$57,990
4Wisconsin$54,310
5Ohio$53,310

Working as a Dredge Operator in Iowa

Nationally, about 1,000 people work as Dredge 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 ($57,990) 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 Dredge Operator make in Iowa?
The median Dredge Operator salary in Iowa is $57,990 per year, or about $27.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $56,060 at the entry level to $69,580 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Dredge Operators about 17% more than the national median of $49,640. Iowa ranks 3rd out of 9 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Dredge Operators?
Yes on pay — Iowa pays above the national median for this occupation, at $57,990 a year. About 60 Dredge Operators are employed in Iowa. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
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 Dredge 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.