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

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

Median annual salary $56,310 -3.3% vs national
Median hourly $27.07
10th percentile $38,450
90th percentile $73,820
Employed locally 470
National median $58,260

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

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

Full tool →
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
Southeast Iowa
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,450
    25th
    $48,370
    50th (median)
    $56,310
    75th
    $63,390
    90th
    $73,820

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Southeast Iowa is $27.07, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.98 or more per hour.

    Is Southeast 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 Southeast Iowa is 3.3% 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 Southeast Iowa?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $38,450 per year in Southeast Iowa. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,370.