Salaries › Water Treatment Operator › Iowa
Water Treatment Operator Salary in Iowa (2026)
$29.32 per hour · take-home ≈ $48,868/year ($4,072/month) for a single filer
Iowa ranks 25th of 50 states for Water Treatment Operator pay, with a median about 1% above the national average. Of the 2,370 Water Treatment Operator jobs BLS counts in Iowa, the typical worker earns $60,990 a year — though pay ranges from $46,880 for newcomers to $76,040 at the top.
Water Treatment Operator pay range in Iowa
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $46,880 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $50,300 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $60,990 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $67,390 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $76,040 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 2,370 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Iowa (occupation code 51-8031, “Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in Iowa
A median Water Treatment Operator salary of $60,990 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Iowa state income tax, a single filer keeps about $48,868 — an effective tax rate of 19.9%.
| Gross (median) | $60,990 |
| Federal income tax | −$5,139 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,666 |
| Iowa state income tax | −$2,318 |
| Take-home (annual) | $48,868 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,072 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Iowa paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Water Treatment Operator make in Iowa?
- The median Water Treatment Operator salary in Iowa is $60,990 per year ($29.32 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $50,300 and $67,390.
- What is the take-home pay for a Water Treatment Operator in Iowa?
- On the median salary of $60,990, a single filer in Iowa takes home about $48,868 per year ($4,072 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 19.9%.
- How many Water Treatment Operator jobs are there in Iowa?
- BLS counts 2,370 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Iowa in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Water Treatment Operators
Other salaries in Iowa
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Iowa state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Iowa.