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Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Iowa
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in Iowa?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$60,440
Median Annual Salary
▲
+0.6% vs 2024
$58,320
Mean Salary
$60,440
Median Salary
$29.06
Hourly Rate
490 people work as Chemical Plant and System Operators in Iowa
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary by percentile in Iowa
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Iowa earn a median salary of $60,440 per year ($5,036/month).
This is 19.8% below the national average of $75,369.
Iowa ranks #29 out of 35 states for Chemical Plant and System Operators pay.
Approximately 490 people work in this occupation across Iowa.
Salaries increased by 0.6% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Chemical Plant and System Operators
Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
Top Skills
Operations Monitoring
4.12
Operation and Control
4.0
Monitoring
3.62
Quality Control Analysis
3.62
Critical Thinking
3.5
Key Knowledge Areas
Production and Processing
3.7
Chemistry
3.69
Mechanical
3.62
English Language
3.51
Public Safety and Security
3.34
Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate
(1.0% of workers)
Salary Range: Chemical Plant and System Operators in Iowa
Salaries for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Iowa range from $46,220 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $65,850 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $50,630 and $62,540.
Median $60,440
P10: $46,220P25: $50,630P75: $62,540P90: $65,850
10th
$46,220
25th
$50,630
Median
$60,440
75th
$62,540
90th
$65,850
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$46,220
$22.22
$3,851
25th Percentile
$50,630
$24.34
$4,219
Median (50th)
$60,440
$29.06
$5,036
75th Percentile
$62,540
$30.07
$5,211
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$65,850
$31.66
$5,487
Note: The mean (average) salary of $58,320 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#29
Iowa ranks #29 of 35 states
$75,369
National avg. for Chemical Plant and System Operators
How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in Iowa?
The median annual salary for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Iowa is $60,440 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $58,320.
What is the salary range for a Chemical Plant and System Operators in Iowa?
Salaries for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Iowa range from $46,220 at the 10th percentile to $65,850 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $50,630 and $62,540.
What is the starting salary for a Chemical Plant and System Operators in Iowa?
Entry-level Chemical Plant and System Operators positions in Iowa typically start around $46,220 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $50,630 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Chemical Plant and System Operators in Iowa?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 490 people are employed as Chemical Plant and System Operators in Iowa.
What is the hourly rate for a Chemical Plant and System Operators in Iowa?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Chemical Plant and System Operators in Iowa is approximately $29.06 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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