How much do Power Plant Operators make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

Percentile spread

For Power Plant Operators, the published 10th percentile is $61,210 and the 90th percentile is $128,430. The difference is $67,220, which is 66.8% of the median. Ten percent of measured wages fall below the 10th percentile and ten percent fall above the 90th. How to read a percentile.

The middle half of the distribution, from the 25th percentile at $77,370 to the 75th at $100,820, covers $23,450.

The mean annual wage is $92,510, which sits below the median of $100,700. Median and mean measure different points in the same distribution.

National and state comparison

The Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA median is 1.3% lower than the national median of $102,040 for Power Plant Operators. In 2024 national prices the local median is $109,813, which is 7.6% higher than that same national median. The national figure is already in national prices because the United States parity is 100.

It is 0.2% higher than the Iowa median of $100,500.

Price-adjusted pay

The 2024 all-items regional price parity for Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is 91.701, with the United States at 100. The Bureau of Economic Analysis released those parities on February 19, 2026. Dividing the May 2025 median of $100,700 by that parity and multiplying by 100 puts Power Plant Operators at $109,813 in national prices. The wage year and the price year are different. Compare this wage after prices.

Nearby metros

4 other metropolitan areas within 200 miles publish a annual median for Power Plant Operators. Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ranks 4th of 5 on that median, counting itself. Distance is the great-circle mileage between Census Bureau internal points (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files, Core Based Statistical Areas, internal points (INTPTLAT, INTPTLONG).).

• Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is 94 miles away, with a median of $76,550 and employment of 30. That median is 24% lower than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $87,931, against $109,813 here.
• Cedar Rapids, IA is 115 miles away, with a median of $104,920 and employment of 40. That median is 4.2% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $117,937, against $109,813 here.
• Omaha, NE-IA is 118 miles away, with a median of $106,520 and employment of 80. That median is 5.8% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $115,895, against $109,813 here.