As of June 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Process Operator in Des Moines, IA is $49,448, equivalent to $24 per hour, $951 weekly, or $4,121 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Process Operator in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for Process Operator in Des Moines, IA vary widely, spanning from $41,607 to $56,231. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($45,344) and 75th percentile ($52,999), while top earners (90th percentile) make $56,231 per year. This $7,655 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Troubleshooting or Hydraulics, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Des Moines Process Operator often earn 2.5% lower than national averages. However, Des Moines currently ranks 416 statewide for Process Operator job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Process Operator Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Process Operator Salary $41,607 Des Moines, IA June 01, 2026
25th Percentile Process Operator Salary $45,344 Des Moines, IA June 01, 2026
50th Percentile Process Operator Salary $49,448 Des Moines, IA June 01, 2026
75th Percentile Process Operator Salary $52,999 Des Moines, IA June 01, 2026
90th Percentile Process Operator Salary $56,231 Des Moines, IA June 01, 2026
25% $45,344 10% $41,607 90% $56,231 75% $52,999 $49,448 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
45344
52999
49448

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
49774
57082
53199
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Process Operator in Des Moines, IA. The base salary for Process Operator ranges from $45,344 to $52,999 with the average base salary of $49,448. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $49,774 to $57,082 with the average total cash compensation of $53,199.

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45344
52999

 

About Des Moines, Iowa    Des Moines (/dɪˈmɔɪn/ (listen)) is the capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A smal....More

Des Moines, Iowa  area prices were up 0.8% from a year ago

Process Operator Salary in popular cities: Cedar RapidsDavenportSioux City

Skills associated with Process Operator: Maintenance, Reporting

Jobs with a similar salary range to Process Operator : Full Specialist, Plastic Process Technician, Processing Technician