Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Northwest Iowa

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

Median annual salary $56,370 -3.2% vs national
Median hourly $27.10
10th percentile $37,970
90th percentile $67,940
Employed locally 500
National median $58,260

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

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

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
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Northwest Iowa
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,970
    25th
    $47,540
    50th (median)
    $56,370
    75th
    $61,190
    90th
    $67,940

    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

    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 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make per hour in Northwest Iowa?

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Northwest Iowa is $27.10, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.84 or more per hour.

    Is Northwest Iowa 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 Northwest Iowa is 3.2% below 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 Northwest Iowa?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $37,970 per year in Northwest Iowa. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,540.