Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $66,660 +14.4% vs national
Median hourly $32.05
10th percentile $50,680
90th percentile $84,990
Employed locally 290
National median $58,260

Compare Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,680
    25th
    $60,610
    50th (median)
    $66,660
    75th
    $71,580
    90th
    $84,990

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 79% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 21% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $123,390
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,440
    Vallejo, CA $101,670
    Napa, CA $99,450
    Fairbanks-College, AK $91,010
    Salinas, CA $90,610

    Nearby metros — Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $85,000
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $83,260
    California $82,100
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $74,990
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $71,650
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $69,460

    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 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Des Moines, IA is $32.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $42.19 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salaries?

    The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Des Moines, IA is 14.4% above the national median of $58,260. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $50,680 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $60,610.