SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Dubuque
Dubuque, IA · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Dubuque, IA is $64,420 per year, close to the national median of $60,020 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Dubuque, IA is $64,420 per year, close to the national median of $60,020 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $63,140 and $65,050. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $52,160 and the ninetieth at $65,960.
The area has 60 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.0 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Des Moines records the highest median at $67,450. Of the 249 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 74th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,160 | −13.1% |
| 25th | $63,140 | +5.2% |
| Median (50th) | $64,420 | +7.3% |
| 75th | $65,050 | +8.4% |
| 90th | $65,960 | +9.9% |
| Mean | $62,890 | +4.8% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $67,450 | 330 | |
| 2 | Waterloo | $63,890 | 120 | |
| 3 | Iowa City | $63,450 | 110 | |
| 4 | Davenport | $63,440 | 220 | |
| 5 | Cedar Rapids | $62,800 | 130 | |
| 6 | Ames | $61,730 | 70 | |
| 7 | Sioux City | $59,760 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Dubuque run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $64,420 goes as far as $73,371 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 22.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$64,420as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$73,371US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $64,420 a year, 7.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $52,160 to $65,960 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 60 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Des Moines, at $67,450.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Dubuque, IA?
The median annual wage is $64,420, or $30.97 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 $60,020, so pay in Dubuque, IA is 7.3% 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 Dubuque, IA earns more than $65,960 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $52,160 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 $67,450 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 60 jobs in this occupation in Dubuque, 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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