Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median of $62,800 a year ($30.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,320 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $60,020. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $60,990. There are 0.95 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,290, close to the median.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,790 | $22.02 |
| 25th percentile | $50,690 | $24.37 |
| Median | $62,800 | $30.19 |
| 75th percentile | $77,320 | $37.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,320 | $37.17 |
| Average (mean) | $62,290 | $29.95 |
Half of water and wastewater treatment plant and system 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 | $5,233.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,616.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,415.38 |
| Weekly | $1,207.69 |
| Hourly | $30.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,800 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $67,450 | 330 |
| Dubuque, IA | $64,420 | 60 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $63,890 | 120 |
| Iowa City, IA | $63,450 | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $63,440 | 220 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $62,660 | 240 |
| Ames, IA | $61,730 | 70 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $59,760 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $81,770 |
| Nevada | $81,440 |
| Washington | $80,800 |
| Connecticut | $78,820 |
| New Jersey | $78,760 |
| Minnesota | $74,670 |
| Colorado | $74,200 |
| Oregon | $69,720 |
| Massachusetts | $68,550 |
| Illinois | $67,810 |
See Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $104,920 | $50.44 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $44,000 | $21.15 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $42,760 | $20.56 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $67,700 | $32.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $72,640 | $34.92 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,420 | $23.76 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $56,750 | $27.28 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $53,940 | $25.93 |
| Food Batchmaker | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $64,670 | $31.09 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $83,470 | $40.13 |
| Printing Press Operator | $42,970 | $20.66 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Cedar Rapids, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8031. 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 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $62,800 a year, or $30.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The top 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn at least $77,320 a year. The top 25% earn $77,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,790 a year, and a quarter of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $50,690 or less.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in Cedar Rapids, IA?
About 130 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.