Iowa · 2026 pay · 26 people
How much does an equipment operator make in Iowa?
$58,243typical pay for a equipment operator in 2026
$53,291 – $59,031what most people earned
Includes everyone paid during 2026, including part-year workers. Typical pay rose 1.8% from 2025.
✓ Official data from Iowa Department of Administrative Services · Matches the agency's latest release · data.iowa.gov ↗
Where equipment operators work
Typical pay at each employer, 2026 (everyone paid).
Highest-paid equipment operators, 2026
- 1Williams, Laverne WEquipment Operator · Iowa State University$66,243
- 2Jiras, Marty WEquipment Operator · University of Iowa$61,327
- 3John F DluhosEquipment Operator · Department of Public Defense$60,276
- 4Rick A SingerEquipment Operator · Department of Public Defense$60,174
- 5Samuel D MorrisEquipment Operator · Department of Public Defense$60,142
Common questions
How much does an equipment operator make in Iowa?
The typical equipment operator was paid $58,243 in 2026; most earned between $53,291 and $59,031. This counts all 26 people paid, including part-year workers.
Which job titles are included?
Everyone whose payroll title is Equipment Operator, at any level (for example "Equipment Operator"). Part-time-schedule titles (such as "20 hours") are left out. Senior, supervising and trainee titles have their own pages.
Job titles are written out in full from the payroll's abbreviations (for example "SR CRRECTNL POLC OFCR" → "Senior Correctional Police Officer"). "Typical pay" is the median; "most earned" is the middle half. How we calculate this