Power Plant Operators Salary in Southeast Iowa

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

Median annual salary $97,260 -2.4% vs national
Median hourly $46.76
10th percentile $63,650
90th percentile $109,450
Employed locally 100
National median $99,670

Compare Power Plant Operators salary & buying power

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Power Plant Operators
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Southeast Iowa
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $63,650
    25th
    $82,270
    50th (median)
    $97,260
    75th
    $101,100
    90th
    $109,450

    Top-paying metros for Power Plant Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $156,260
    Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA $140,800
    Fresno, CA $136,640
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $136,300
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $133,460
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $128,340

    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 Power Plant Operators make per hour in Southeast Iowa?

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in Southeast Iowa is $46.76, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $58.04 or more per hour.

    Is Southeast Iowa above or below average for Power Plant Operators salaries?

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in Southeast Iowa is 2.4% below the national median of $99,670. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Power Plant Operators in Southeast Iowa?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $63,650 per year in Southeast Iowa. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $82,270.