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

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

Median annual salary $52,140 -10.5% vs national
Median hourly $25.07
10th percentile $36,310
90th percentile $70,160
Employed locally 220
National median $58,260

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

Type a city below to see how Southwest 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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Southwest Iowa
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,310
    25th
    $46,300
    50th (median)
    $52,140
    75th
    $58,690
    90th
    $70,160

    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 Southwest Iowa

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$45,260
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$47,840
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$68,230
    Slaughterers and Meat Packers$43,810
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$45,050
    Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$45,970

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make per hour in Southwest Iowa?

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Southwest Iowa is $25.07, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.44 or more per hour.

    Is Southwest 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 Southwest Iowa is 10.5% 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 Southwest Iowa?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $36,310 per year in Southwest Iowa. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,300.