Plant and System Operators, All Other Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Plant and System Operators, All Other in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$75,800
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.44
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+21% vs US median
US median $62,470
State Rank
#9 of 44
50 employed here

How much do Plant and System Operators, All Other make in Iowa?

Plant and System Operators, All Other in Iowa take home a median of $75,800 annually — roughly $36.44 an hour — which runs 21% above the national median of $62,470.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $59,510 while the top 10% make $104,880 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $69,770 and $80,450 a year.

Plant and System Operators, All Other salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$59,510$28.61
25th percentile (early career)$69,770$33.54
50th percentile (median)$75,800$36.44
75th percentile (experienced)$80,450$38.68
90th percentile (top earners)$104,880$50.42

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 9th out of 44 states and territories for Plant and System Operators, All Other pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Massachusetts$120,660
2Washington$88,730
3Minnesota$88,290
4Maryland$81,890
5Montana$81,340

Working as Plant and System Operators, All Other in Iowa

Nationally, about 14,000 people work as Plant and System Operators, All Other in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($75,800) 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 Plant and System Operators, All Other make in Iowa?
The median Plant and System Operators, All Other salary in Iowa is $75,800 per year, or about $36.44 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $59,510 at the entry level to $104,880 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Plant and System Operators, All Other about 21% more than the national median of $62,470. Iowa ranks 9th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Plant and System Operators, All Other?
Yes on pay — Iowa pays above the national median for this occupation, at $75,800 a year. About 50 Plant and System Operators, All Other 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 Plant and System Operators, All Other 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.