SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Iowa City
Iowa City, IA · 7 metro areas compared
At $63,450, median pay for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Iowa City, IA tracks the national median of $60,020 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $63,450, median pay for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Iowa City, IA tracks the national median of $60,020 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $60,090 and $73,850. The lowest tenth earn under $37,810, while the highest tenth earn more than $76,430.
The area has 110 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.48 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Des Moines leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $67,450. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 122nd of 296 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,810 | −37.0% |
| 25th | $60,090 | +0.1% |
| Median (50th) | $63,450 | +5.7% |
| 75th | $73,850 | +23.0% |
| 90th | $76,430 | +27.3% |
| Mean | $63,250 | +5.4% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $67,450 | 330 | |
| 2 | Dubuque | $64,420 | 60 | |
| 3 | Waterloo | $63,890 | 120 | |
| 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 Iowa City run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $63,450 goes as far as $72,267 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 20.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$63,450as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$72,267US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $63,450 a year, 5.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,810 to $76,430 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 110 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 Iowa City, IA?
The median annual wage is $63,450, or $30.51 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 Iowa City, IA is 5.7% 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 Iowa City, IA earns more than $76,430 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,810 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 110 jobs in this occupation in Iowa City, 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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