Gas Plant Operator salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Gas Plant Operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $95,260 a year ($45.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,200 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $87,820. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $92,970. There are 0.26 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $90,090, close to the median.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,440 | $30.98 |
| 25th percentile | $85,200 | $40.96 |
| Median | $95,260 | $45.80 |
| 75th percentile | $99,200 | $47.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,200 | $48.65 |
| Average (mean) | $90,090 | $43.31 |
Half of gas plant operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,938.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,969.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,663.85 |
| Weekly | $1,831.92 |
| Hourly | $45.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $95,260 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Gas Plant Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $92,970 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $91,320 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for gas plant operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $130,220 |
| New Jersey | $110,900 |
| Oregon | $109,760 |
| Connecticut | $109,060 |
| Louisiana | $108,350 |
| Arizona | $104,600 |
| Massachusetts | $103,830 |
| Maryland | $102,950 |
| South Dakota | $101,450 |
| Arkansas | $100,870 |
See Gas Plant Operator pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $67,450 | $32.43 |
| Power Plant Operator | $100,700 | $48.42 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $71,150 | $34.21 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,850 | $24.45 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Baker | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| Printing Press Operator | $43,450 | $20.89 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Food Batchmaker | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,700 | $23.42 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gas plant operator make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for gas plant operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $95,260 a year, or $45.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $101,200 a year. The top 25% earn $99,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,440 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $85,200 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 100 gas plant operators are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.