verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Heavy Equipment Operator Salary in Iowa

Median Annual in Iowa
$60,330/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$29.01/hr
▲ 1% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Iowa

groups Employed in IA
5,530
public U.S. Median
$59,850
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$68,743 #17 of 51

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in Iowa, explained

Heavy equipment operators in Iowa earn a median of $60,330 per year ($29.01 per hour), which is 1% above the national median of $59,850. Entry-level workers earn around $46,690, while the most experienced heavy equipment operators reach about $87,460. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Iowa.

Is $60,330 good pay in Iowa?

Adjusted for Iowa's cost of living (which runs 88% of the U.S. average), that $60,330 is worth about $68,743 in national buying power — ranking Iowa #17 for real pay (vs #30 on the sticker number).

See the full Heavy Equipment Operator Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Heavy Equipment Operator pay by experience in Iowa

Entry level (10th pct)
$46,690
$22.45/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$60,330
$29.01/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$87,460
$42.05/hr

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IA
Iowa (here) $60,330 $68,743
Illinois $97,740 $97,781 −$37,410
Minnesota $79,130 $80,236 −$18,800
Wisconsin $75,280 $80,004 −$14,950
Missouri $60,540 $66,662 −$210
South Dakota $59,500 $67,166 +$830
Nebraska $58,360 $64,770 +$1,970

Heavy Equipment Operator in Iowa: FAQ

How much do heavy equipment operators make in Iowa?

Heavy equipment operators in Iowa earn a median of $60,330 per year ($29.01 per hour), compared with $59,850 nationally.

Does Iowa pay heavy equipment operators well?

At $60,330, Iowa pays 1% above the national median for heavy equipment operators. An estimated 5,530 work in the state.

Heavy Equipment Operator salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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