Process Operator

Process Operator Salary in Iowa

$27.7K

$39.4K

$60.1K

$41,313

/year

$19.86

/hour

Process Operator Salary Comparison by Location

Nationwide

United States

$43,984

Iowa

Iowa

$41,313

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    How much does a Process Operator make in Iowa?

    As of Aug 6, 2026, the average annual pay for a Process Operator in Iowa is $41,313 a year.

    Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $19.86 an hour. This is the equivalent of $794/week or $3,442/month.

    While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $60,113 and as low as $27,708, the majority of Process Operator salaries currently range between $35,700 (25th percentile) to $45,100 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $51,659 annually in Iowa. The average pay range for a Process Operator varies greatly (by as much as 9400), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.

    Iowa ranks number 50 out of 50 states nationwide for Process Operator salaries.

    To estimate the most accurate annual salary range for Process Operator jobs, ZipRecruiter continuously scans its database of millions of active jobs published locally throughout America.

    Find your next high paying job as a Process Operator on ZipRecruiter today.

    What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Process Operator Jobs in Iowa

    We've identified 10 cities where the typical salary for a Process Operator job is above the average in Iowa in Iowa. Topping the list is Iowa Falls, , with Shenandoah, and Sioux City, close behind in the second and third positions. Sioux City, beats the average in Iowa by $2,208 (5.3%), and Iowa Falls, furthers that trend with another $4,520 (10.9%) above the $41,313 average.

    With these 10 cities paying on average above the average for Iowa, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as a Process Operator appears to be exceedingly fruitful.

    Finally, another factor to consider is the average salary for these top 10 cities varies very little at 6% between Iowa Falls, and Des Moines, , reinforcing the limited potential for much wage advancement. The possibility of a lower cost of living may be the best factor to use when considering location and salary for a Process Operator role.

    City

    Annual Salary

    Hourly Wage

    Iowa Falls

    $45,833

    $22.04

    Shenandoah

    $43,537

    $20.93

    Sioux City

    $43,521

    $20.92

    Waterloo

    $43,371

    $20.85

    Cedar Rapids

    $43,276

    $20.81

    West Des Moines

    $43,183

    $20.76

    Iowa City

    $43,038

    $20.69

    Cherokee

    $43,036

    $20.69

    Ames

    $43,025

    $20.69

    Des Moines

    $42,925

    $20.64

    What are Top 5 Best Paying Related Process Operator Jobs in Iowa

    Analyzing similar jobs related to the Process Operator job category in Iowa, we found 5 that were relevant. However, none pay more than the $41313 state average for Process Operator jobs.

    Job Title

    Annual Salary

    Hourly Wage

    Power Plant Operator Trainee

    $87,356

    $42.00

    Plant Maintenance

    $48,568

    $23.35

    Natural Gas Plant Operator

    $43,695

    $21.01

    Plant Work

    $35,630

    $17.13

    U S P S Mail Handler

    $35,104

    $16.88

    About Our Data

    ZipRecruiter salary estimates, histograms, trends and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third party data sources.

    Infographic detailing Process Operator salary in Iowa as of August 2026. Shows a bar chart with salary percentiles ranging from $35,700 to $51,659 annually, with the Iowa average at $41,313 per year or $19.86 per hour. Includes a list of the top 10 highest paying cities in Iowa for Process Operator jobs, with Iowa Falls leading at $45,833 annually.