Gas Plant Operators Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $94,150 +12.9% vs national
Median hourly $45.27
10th percentile $81,230
90th percentile $98,180
Employed locally 120
National median $83,400

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Gas Plant Operators
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $81,230
    25th
    $89,070
    50th (median)
    $94,150
    75th
    $94,150
    90th
    $98,180

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Gas Plant Operators salary vs area income 112% Median Gas Plant Operators salary is 12% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Gas Plant Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $126,640
    California $124,980
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $124,100
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $118,640
    Baton Rouge, LA $113,570
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $107,810

    Nearby metros — Gas Plant Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    California $124,980
    Louisiana $105,030
    Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $92,970
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $92,420
    Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area $92,210
    Georgia $90,610

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $43,510
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $69,590
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $49,200
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $50,950
    Butchers and Meat Cutters $36,140
    Bakers $36,460

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Gas Plant Operators make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Gas Plant Operators in Des Moines, IA is $45.27, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.65 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Gas Plant Operators salaries?

    The median Gas Plant Operators salary in Des Moines, IA is 12.9% above the national median of $83,400. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Gas Plant Operators in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Gas Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $81,230 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $89,070.