Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Northwest Iowa

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $60,010 -18.4% vs national
Median hourly $28.85
10th percentile $49,970
90th percentile $61,830
National median $73,540

Compare Chemical Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Northwest Iowa stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Chemical Plant and System Operators
in
Northwest Iowa
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,970
    25th
    $50,200
    50th (median)
    $60,010
    75th
    $60,580
    90th
    $61,830

    Top-paying metros for Chemical Plant and System Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $117,430
    North Dakota $112,970
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $108,370
    Wyoming $104,420
    Lake Charles, LA $102,310
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $101,150

    Related occupations in Northwest Iowa

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $47,260
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $47,410
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $68,550
    Food Batchmakers $49,760
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $41,600
    Slaughterers and Meat Packers $41,290

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make per hour in Northwest Iowa?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Northwest Iowa is $28.85, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.24 or more per hour.

    Is Northwest Iowa above or below average for Chemical Plant and System Operators salaries?

    The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Northwest Iowa is 18.4% below the national median of $73,540. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Northwest Iowa?

    Entry-level Chemical Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $49,970 per year in Northwest Iowa. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,200.