SOC 51-8013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Power Plant Operators — Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, IA · 2 metro areas compared
The median wage for Power Plant Operators in Cedar Rapids, IA is $104,920 per year, close to the national median of $102,040 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Power Plant Operators in Cedar Rapids, IA is $104,920 per year, close to the national median of $102,040 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $103,890 and $104,920. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $103,890 and the ninetieth at $104,920.
Employment stands at 40, or 0.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Des Moines records the highest median at $100,700. Of the 391 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 31st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $103,890 | +1.8% |
| 25th | $103,890 | +1.8% |
| Median (50th) | $104,920 | +2.8% |
| 75th | $104,920 | +2.8% |
| 90th | $104,920 | +2.8% |
| Mean | $102,850 | +0.8% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $100,700 | — | |
| 2 | Waterloo | $76,550 | 30 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Cedar Rapids run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $104,920 goes as far as $119,499 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$104,920as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$119,499US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $104,920 a year, 2.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $103,890 to $104,920 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Des Moines, at $100,700.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Power Plant Operators in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median annual wage is $104,920, or $50.44 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $102,040, so pay in Cedar Rapids, IA is 2.8% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Cedar Rapids, IA earns more than $104,920 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $103,890 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Des Moines, at $100,700 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Cedar Rapids, IA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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