How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make in Des Moines?
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $32.43 an hour or $5,621 a month.
- Hourly
- $32.43
- Vs. national median
- +12%
- Rank among cities
- 70 of 367
- Jobs in the area
- 330
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,970 | $23.06 | |
| 25th | $59,780 | $28.74 | |
| Median | $67,450 | $32.43 | |
| 75th | $75,750 | $36.42 | |
| 90th | $87,750 | $42.19 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.
| Dubuque, IA | $64,420 |
| Waterloo, IA | $63,890 |
| Iowa City, IA | $63,450 |
| Davenport, IA | $63,440 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $62,800 |
| Omaha, NE | $62,660 |
| Ames, IA | $61,730 |
| Sioux City, IA | $59,760 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Power Plant Operator | $100,700 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $95,260 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $73,170 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $71,150 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $67,650 |
| Tire Builder | $63,060 |
| Woodworking Machine Setter | $60,070 |
| Welder | $59,980 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $59,470 |
| Machinist | $59,290 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $32.43 ($67,450 a year).
Do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make more in Des Moines than the national average?
Yes: $67,450 against $60,020 nationally, 12% more.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $60,990, so Des Moines pays 11% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator pay?
70 of 367 metro areas with data.
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $47,970 or less a year; the top 10% make $87,750 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.