Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Southeast Iowa

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

Median annual salary $59,860 -18.6% vs national
Median hourly $28.78
10th percentile $43,800
90th percentile $66,470
Employed locally 100
National median $73,540

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Chemical Plant and System Operators
in
Southeast Iowa
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,800
    25th
    $45,990
    50th (median)
    $59,860
    75th
    $64,230
    90th
    $66,470

    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 Southeast Iowa

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$46,510
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$71,350
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$52,420
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$48,550
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$48,910
    Production Workers, All Other$47,670

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Southeast Iowa is $28.78, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.96 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Southeast Iowa is 18.6% 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 Southeast Iowa?

    Entry-level Chemical Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $43,800 per year in Southeast Iowa. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,990.