51 Series · SOC 51-8031
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $60,020
- Median / year
- $91,060
- Top 10% earn
- -6.5%
- Growth '23–'33
- 128,490
- US workers
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators earn a median of $60,020 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $60,020, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $39,110 (10th percentile) to $91,060 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 128,490 US workers. California pays the most ($81,770), since pay varies by state and metro area.
The pay verdict
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators earn a median of $60,020, putting them below the typical US occupation and higher than 48% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Production, it ranks #17 of 105 by median pay. Employment is projected to fall 6.5% by 2033.
- $60,020
- Median annual wage
- Top 52%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #17 of 105
- in Production
- 2.3×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: California at $81,770. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (SOC 51-8031) pays a national median of $60,020 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $39,110 at the 10th percentile to $91,060 at the 90th, with a mean of $62,540 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 128,490 Americans work in this occupation across 52 reporting states and 501 metro areas.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a -6.5% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as declining relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 10,700 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and long-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of B for this role, with a fatality rate of 3.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 3.2 per 100.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. California pays the highest state median at $81,770, which is +36% above the national figure. The top metro is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $125,160 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.
BLS OEWS May 2025 128,490 jobs Median $60,020/yr
Median Salary
$60,020
per year
Median Hourly
$28.86/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$62,540
average
Employment
128,490
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$60,020 Bottom 48% higher than 48% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 51-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Among 22 51-series occupations with growth data, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators sits on the slower-growing side at -6.5% growth and $60,020 median pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
-6.5%
Declining
Annual Openings
10,700
per year (projected)
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-Job Training
Long-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings → B
Safe
Safety Grade (BLS 2023)
Fatality Rate
3.5/100K
Injury Rate
3.2/100
Danger Index
14.6/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Operation and Control 4.0
Operations Monitoring 3.9
Monitoring 3.6
Active Listening 3.1
Speaking 3.1
Equipment Maintenance 3.1
Troubleshooting 3.1
Repairing 3.1
Quality Control Analysis 3.1
Reading Comprehension 3.0
Knowledge Areas
Public Safety and Security 4.2
Mechanical 3.6
English Language 3.5
Chemistry 3.4
Administration and Management 3.4
Mathematics 3.4
Education and Training 3.4
Customer and Personal Service 3.3
Computers and Electronics 3.2
Law and Government 3.2
Key Tasks
- ▸ Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
- ▸ Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
- ▸ Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
- ▸ Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
- ▸ Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
- ▸ Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
- ▸ Clean and maintain tanks, filter beds, and other work areas, using hand tools and power tools.
- ▸ Maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
10th Percentile
$39,110
25th Percentile
$48,040
Median
$60,020
75th Percentile
$74,780
90th Percentile
$91,060
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
View all 52 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $81,770 | +36% above national |
| 2 | Nevada | $81,440 | +36% above national |
| 3 | Washington | $80,800 | +35% above national |
| 4 | Connecticut | $78,820 | +31% above national |
| 5 | New Jersey | $78,760 | +31% above national |
| 6 | Minnesota | $74,670 | +24% above national |
| 7 | Colorado | $74,200 | +24% above national |
| 8 | Oregon | $69,720 | +16% above national |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $68,550 | +14% above national |
| 10 | Illinois | $67,810 | +13% above national |
| 11 | Hawaii | $65,560 | +9% above national |
| 12 | Delaware | $64,940 | +8% above national |
| 13 | New York | $63,990 | +7% above national |
| 14 | Vermont | $63,640 | +6% above national |
| 15 | Wisconsin | $63,550 | +6% above national |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $63,310 | +5% above national |
| 17 | Wyoming | $63,260 | +5% above national |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $62,940 | +5% above national |
| 19 | Maine | $61,870 | +3% above national |
| 20 | Maryland | $61,870 | +3% above national |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $61,820 | +3% above national |
| 22 | Arizona | $61,340 | +2% above national |
| 23 | Utah | $61,290 | +2% above national |
| 24 | Nebraska | $61,220 | +2% above national |
| 25 | Iowa | $60,990 | +2% above national |
| 26 | North Dakota | $60,470 | +1% above national |
| 27 | Alaska | $60,160 | same as national |
| 28 | Virginia | $59,420 | 1% below national |
| 29 | Michigan | $59,270 | 1% below national |
| 30 | Ohio | $59,170 | 1% below national |
| 31 | Florida | $59,030 | 2% below national |
| 32 | Montana | $58,040 | 3% below national |
| 33 | Indiana | $53,540 | 11% below national |
| 34 | South Dakota | $53,370 | 11% below national |
| 35 | Idaho | $52,210 | 13% below national |
| 36 | South Carolina | $52,090 | 13% below national |
| 37 | Alabama | $51,870 | 14% below national |
| 38 | North Carolina | $51,680 | 14% below national |
| 39 | Tennessee | $50,670 | 16% below national |
| 40 | Missouri | $49,940 | 17% below national |
| 41 | Texas | $49,460 | 18% below national |
| 42 | Georgia | $48,930 | 18% below national |
| 43 | New Mexico | $48,190 | 20% below national |
| 44 | Virgin Islands | $48,030 | 20% below national |
| 45 | West Virginia | $47,560 | 21% below national |
| 46 | Kansas | $46,780 | 22% below national |
| 47 | Mississippi | $46,480 | 23% below national |
| 48 | Louisiana | $46,210 | 23% below national |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $45,890 | 24% below national |
| 50 | Kentucky | $45,430 | 24% below national |
| 51 | Arkansas | $44,320 | 26% below national |
| 52 | Puerto Rico | $29,220 | 51% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 501 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $125,160 | +109% above national |
| 2 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $108,190 | +80% above national |
| 3 | Vallejo, CA | $106,150 | +77% above national |
| 4 | Napa, CA | $101,540 | +69% above national |
| 5 | Fairbanks-College, AK | $99,840 | +66% above national |
| 6 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,010 | +65% above national |
| 7 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $94,060 | +57% above national |
| 8 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $88,270 | +47% above national |
| 9 | Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $87,840 | +46% above national |
| 10 | Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $87,310 | +45% above national |
| 11 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $85,960 | +43% above national |
| 12 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $85,950 | +43% above national |
| 13 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $84,450 | +41% above national |
| 14 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $83,860 | +40% above national |
| 15 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $83,320 | +39% above national |
| 16 | San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $83,190 | +39% above national |
| 17 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $82,780 | +38% above national |
| 18 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $82,460 | +37% above national |
| 19 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $82,200 | +37% above national |
| 20 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $81,810 | +36% above national |
| 21 | Stockton-Lodi, CA | $81,600 | +36% above national |
| 22 | Bellingham, WA | $81,430 | +36% above national |
| 23 | Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $81,240 | +35% above national |
| 24 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $81,100 | +35% above national |
| 25 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $80,750 | +35% above national |
| 26 | Anchorage, AK | $80,740 | +35% above national |
| 27 | Chico, CA | $80,360 | +34% above national |
| 28 | New Haven, CT | $80,130 | +34% above national |
| 29 | Vineland, NJ | $80,040 | +33% above national |
| 30 | Reno, NV | $79,770 | +33% above national |
| 31 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $79,630 | +33% above national |
| 32 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $79,290 | +32% above national |
| 33 | Bloomington, IL | $79,220 | +32% above national |
| 34 | Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $79,100 | +32% above national |
| 35 | Modesto, CA | $78,710 | +31% above national |
| 36 | Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $78,610 | +31% above national |
| 37 | Yuba City, CA | $78,520 | +31% above national |
| 38 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $78,350 | +31% above national |
| 39 | Rochester, MN | $78,270 | +30% above national |
| 40 | Salinas, CA | $77,920 | +30% above national |
| 41 | Rockford, IL | $77,830 | +30% above national |
| 42 | Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $77,720 | +29% above national |
| 43 | Redding, CA | $77,550 | +29% above national |
| 44 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $77,170 | +29% above national |
| 45 | Jacksonville, FL | $77,150 | +29% above national |
| 46 | Merced, CA | $76,790 | +28% above national |
| 47 | Visalia, CA | $76,580 | +28% above national |
| 48 | Bozeman, MT | $76,390 | +27% above national |
| 49 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $76,150 | +27% above national |
| 50 | Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area | $75,760 | +26% above national |
| 51 | Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $75,530 | +26% above national |
| 52 | Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $75,400 | +26% above national |
| 53 | Yakima, WA | $75,290 | +25% above national |
| 54 | Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $74,880 | +25% above national |
| 55 | El Centro, CA | $74,790 | +25% above national |
| 56 | Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $74,770 | +25% above national |
| 57 | St. Cloud, MN | $74,670 | +24% above national |
| 58 | Boulder, CO | $74,270 | +24% above national |
| 59 | Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | $74,230 | +24% above national |
| 60 | Grand Junction, CO | $73,920 | +23% above national |
| 61 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $73,600 | +23% above national |
| 62 | Barnstable Town, MA | $73,460 | +22% above national |
| 63 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $73,330 | +22% above national |
| 64 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $73,330 | +22% above national |
| 65 | Medford, OR | $73,270 | +22% above national |
| 66 | Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $72,010 | +20% above national |
| 67 | Madison, WI | $71,850 | +20% above national |
| 68 | Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $71,750 | +20% above national |
| 69 | Eugene-Springfield, OR | $70,250 | +17% above national |
| 70 | Santa Fe, NM | $69,870 | +16% above national |
| 71 | Mankato, MN | $69,830 | +16% above national |
| 72 | Sheboygan, WI | $69,440 | +16% above national |
| 73 | Jacksonville, NC | $68,120 | +13% above national |
| 74 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $67,840 | +13% above national |
| 75 | Lincoln, NE | $67,650 | +13% above national |
| 76 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $67,450 | +12% above national |
| 77 | Fresno, CA | $67,260 | +12% above national |
| 78 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $67,250 | +12% above national |
| 79 | Green Bay, WI | $67,190 | +12% above national |
| 80 | Worcester, MA | $67,190 | +12% above national |
| 81 | Albany, OR | $67,060 | +12% above national |
| 82 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $66,980 | +12% above national |
| 83 | Ann Arbor, MI | $66,770 | +11% above national |
| 84 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $66,680 | +11% above national |
| 85 | Missoula, MT | $66,550 | +11% above national |
| 86 | Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $66,450 | +11% above national |
| 87 | North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $66,370 | +11% above national |
| 88 | Kokomo, IN | $66,230 | +10% above national |
| 89 | Springfield, MA | $66,200 | +10% above national |
| 90 | Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $66,140 | +10% above national |
| 91 | Colorado Springs, CO | $65,970 | +10% above national |
| 92 | Fargo, ND-MN | $65,970 | +10% above national |
| 93 | North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $65,920 | +10% above national |
| 94 | Greeley, CO | $65,840 | +10% above national |
| 95 | Duluth, MN-WI | $65,640 | +9% above national |
| 96 | Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $65,550 | +9% above national |
| 97 | Pittsburgh, PA | $65,480 | +9% above national |
| 98 | Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $65,440 | +9% above national |
| 99 | Monroe, MI | $65,360 | +9% above national |
| 100 | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $65,300 | +9% above national |
| 101 | Salem, OR | $65,270 | +9% above national |
| 102 | Altoona, PA | $65,110 | +8% above national |
| 103 | Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | $64,830 | +8% above national |
| 104 | Appleton, WI | $64,820 | +8% above national |
| 105 | Kenosha, WI | $64,650 | +8% above national |
| 106 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $64,640 | +8% above national |
| 107 | Dubuque, IA | $64,420 | +7% above national |
| 108 | Longview-Kelso, WA | $64,420 | +7% above national |
| 109 | Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | $64,390 | +7% above national |
| 110 | Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $64,320 | +7% above national |
| 111 | Lima, OH | $64,310 | +7% above national |
| 112 | Janesville-Beloit, WI | $64,290 | +7% above national |
| 113 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $64,190 | +7% above national |
| 114 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | $64,100 | +7% above national |
| 115 | Central Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $64,060 | +7% above national |
| 116 | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $64,000 | +7% above national |
| 117 | Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $63,960 | +7% above national |
| 118 | Greenville, NC | $63,900 | +6% above national |
| 119 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $63,890 | +6% above national |
| 120 | Gainesville, FL | $63,860 | +6% above national |
| 121 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $63,810 | +6% above national |
| 122 | Columbus, OH | $63,700 | +6% above national |
| 123 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $63,680 | +6% above national |
| 124 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $63,660 | +6% above national |
| 125 | Lancaster, PA | $63,630 | +6% above national |
| 126 | Eau Claire, WI | $63,550 | +6% above national |
| 127 | Iowa City, IA | $63,450 | +6% above national |
| 128 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $63,440 | +6% above national |
| 129 | Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | $63,370 | +6% above national |
| 130 | Cleveland, OH | $63,260 | +5% above national |
| 131 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $63,260 | +5% above national |
| 132 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $63,130 | +5% above national |
| 133 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $63,120 | +5% above national |
| 134 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $63,080 | +5% above national |
| 135 | Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $63,080 | +5% above national |
| 136 | Naples-Marco Island, FL | $63,000 | +5% above national |
| 137 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $62,960 | +5% above national |
| 138 | Rochester, NY | $62,950 | +5% above national |
| 139 | Grand Island, NE | $62,920 | +5% above national |
| 140 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $62,800 | +5% above national |
| 141 | Sandusky, OH | $62,790 | +5% above national |
| 142 | Omaha, NE-IA | $62,660 | +4% above national |
| 143 | Northern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $62,640 | +4% above national |
| 144 | Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $62,630 | +4% above national |
| 145 | Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $62,550 | +4% above national |
| 146 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $62,510 | +4% above national |
| 147 | Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $62,500 | +4% above national |
| 148 | Charlottesville, VA | $62,460 | +4% above national |
| 149 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $62,440 | +4% above national |
| 150 | Dover, DE | $62,410 | +4% above national |
| 151 | Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $62,340 | +4% above national |
| 152 | Bend, OR | $62,310 | +4% above national |
| 153 | Decatur, IL | $62,150 | +4% above national |
| 154 | Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $62,080 | +3% above national |
| 155 | Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $62,080 | +3% above national |
| 156 | St. George, UT | $62,000 | +3% above national |
| 157 | Lebanon, PA | $61,980 | +3% above national |
| 158 | Harrisonburg, VA | $61,970 | +3% above national |
| 159 | Lewiston, ID-WA | $61,830 | +3% above national |
| 160 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $61,760 | +3% above national |
| 161 | Ames, IA | $61,730 | +3% above national |
| 162 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $61,720 | +3% above national |
| 163 | Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $61,660 | +3% above national |
| 164 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $61,660 | +3% above national |
| 165 | Northeast Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $61,660 | +3% above national |
| 166 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $61,640 | +3% above national |
| 167 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $61,610 | +3% above national |
| 168 | Huntsville, AL | $61,550 | +3% above national |
| 169 | Bismarck, ND | $61,530 | +3% above national |
| 170 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $61,460 | +2% above national |
| 171 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $61,360 | +2% above national |
| 172 | Ithaca, NY | $61,360 | +2% above national |
| 173 | Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $61,340 | +2% above national |
| 174 | Reading, PA | $61,300 | +2% above national |
| 175 | Port St. Lucie, FL | $61,290 | +2% above national |
| 176 | Wasatch Front Fringe Utah nonmetropolitan area | $61,270 | +2% above national |
| 177 | York-Hanover, PA | $61,250 | +2% above national |
| 178 | Fort Wayne, IN | $61,240 | +2% above national |
| 179 | Spartanburg, SC | $61,240 | +2% above national |
| 180 | Pittsfield, MA | $61,230 | +2% above national |
| 181 | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $61,110 | +2% above national |
| 182 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $61,050 | +2% above national |
| 183 | Elmira, NY | $61,050 | +2% above national |
| 184 | Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $61,000 | +2% above national |
| 185 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $60,980 | +2% above national |
| 186 | Waco, TX | $60,930 | +2% above national |
| 187 | Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $60,910 | +1% above national |
| 188 | Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $60,890 | +1% above national |
| 189 | Syracuse, NY | $60,840 | +1% above national |
| 190 | Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $60,790 | +1% above national |
| 191 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $60,770 | +1% above national |
| 192 | Ogden, UT | $60,720 | +1% above national |
| 193 | Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $60,720 | +1% above national |
| 194 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $60,640 | +1% above national |
| 195 | Flint, MI | $60,560 | +1% above national |
| 196 | Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area | $60,560 | +1% above national |
| 197 | Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area | $60,560 | +1% above national |
| 198 | Billings, MT | $60,530 | +1% above national |
| 199 | Chambersburg, PA | $60,530 | +1% above national |
| 200 | Lawrence, KS | $60,530 | +1% above national |
| 201 | Johnstown, PA | $60,500 | +1% above national |
| 202 | Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $60,480 | +1% above national |
| 203 | West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $60,470 | +1% above national |
| 204 | Southwestern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $60,440 | +1% above national |
| 205 | Akron, OH | $60,410 | +1% above national |
| 206 | Traverse City, MI | $60,390 | +1% above national |
| 207 | Dalton, GA | $60,380 | +1% above national |
| 208 | Peoria, IL | $60,380 | +1% above national |
| 209 | Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area | $60,320 | same as national |
| 210 | High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area | $60,220 | same as national |
| 211 | East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $60,200 | same as national |
| 212 | Wilmington, NC | $60,190 | same as national |
| 213 | Grand Forks, ND-MN | $60,160 | same as national |
| 214 | Fond du Lac, WI | $60,140 | same as national |
| 215 | Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $60,130 | same as national |
| 216 | Northeastern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $60,130 | same as national |
| 217 | Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $60,050 | same as national |
| 218 | State College, PA | $59,990 | same as national |
| 219 | Richmond, VA | $59,970 | same as national |
| 220 | Niles, MI | $59,940 | same as national |
| 221 | Kankakee, IL | $59,870 | same as national |
| 222 | Florence, SC | $59,840 | same as national |
| 223 | Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $59,830 | same as national |
| 224 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $59,760 | same as national |
| 225 | Glens Falls, NY | $59,750 | same as national |
| 226 | Kingston, NY | $59,750 | same as national |
| 227 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $59,740 | same as national |
| 228 | Wausau, WI | $59,730 | same as national |
| 229 | Bay City, MI | $59,620 | 1% below national |
| 230 | Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $59,620 | 1% below national |
| 231 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $59,610 | 1% below national |
| 232 | Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $59,550 | 1% below national |
| 233 | Central East New York nonmetropolitan area | $59,520 | 1% below national |
| 234 | Erie, PA | $59,180 | 1% below national |
| 235 | South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $59,170 | 1% below national |
| 236 | Knoxville, TN | $59,120 | 1% below national |
| 237 | Jackson, MI | $59,110 | 2% below national |
| 238 | Wildwood-The Villages, FL | $59,060 | 2% below national |
| 239 | Springfield, IL | $58,990 | 2% below national |
| 240 | Bangor, ME | $58,980 | 2% below national |
| 241 | Fayetteville, NC | $58,850 | 2% below national |
| 242 | South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $58,760 | 2% below national |
| 243 | Toledo, OH | $58,740 | 2% below national |
| 244 | Flagstaff, AZ | $58,680 | 2% below national |
| 245 | Boise City, ID | $58,640 | 2% below national |
| 246 | Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $58,640 | 2% below national |
| 247 | East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $58,610 | 2% below national |
| 248 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $58,600 | 2% below national |
| 249 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $58,590 | 2% below national |
| 250 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $58,590 | 2% below national |
| 251 | Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $58,570 | 2% below national |
| 252 | Eastern and Southern Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $58,570 | 2% below national |
| 253 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $58,530 | 2% below national |
| 254 | Tucson, AZ | $58,390 | 3% below national |
| 255 | Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $58,360 | 3% below national |
| 256 | Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $58,350 | 3% below national |
| 257 | Decatur, AL | $58,270 | 3% below national |
| 258 | West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $57,950 | 3% below national |
| 259 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $57,850 | 4% below national |
| 260 | Owensboro, KY | $57,810 | 4% below national |
| 261 | Rapid City, SD | $57,780 | 4% below national |
| 262 | Helena, MT | $57,410 | 4% below national |
| 263 | Minot, ND | $57,320 | 4% below national |
| 264 | Gadsden, AL | $57,280 | 5% below national |
| 265 | Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $57,280 | 5% below national |
| 266 | Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area | $57,240 | 5% below national |
| 267 | Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $57,210 | 5% below national |
| 268 | Williamsport, PA | $57,090 | 5% below national |
| 269 | Great Falls, MT | $56,900 | 5% below national |
| 270 | Ocala, FL | $56,580 | 6% below national |
| 271 | Twin Falls, ID | $56,520 | 6% below national |
| 272 | Lexington Park, MD | $56,440 | 6% below national |
| 273 | Coeur d'Alene, ID | $56,380 | 6% below national |
| 274 | Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $56,380 | 6% below national |
| 275 | Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $56,330 | 6% below national |
| 276 | Logan, UT-ID | $56,160 | 6% below national |
| 277 | Birmingham, AL | $56,130 | 6% below national |
| 278 | South Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $56,080 | 7% below national |
| 279 | Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area | $56,060 | 7% below national |
| 280 | Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area | $55,810 | 7% below national |
| 281 | East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area | $55,810 | 7% below national |
| 282 | Binghamton, NY | $55,380 | 8% below national |
| 283 | Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $55,270 | 8% below national |
| 284 | Tallahassee, FL | $55,170 | 8% below national |
| 285 | Columbia, SC | $55,070 | 8% below national |
| 286 | Evansville, IN | $55,050 | 8% below national |
| 287 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $54,720 | 9% below national |
| 288 | Corpus Christi, TX | $54,700 | 9% below national |
| 289 | Auburn-Opelika, AL | $54,590 | 9% below national |
| 290 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $54,460 | 9% below national |
| 291 | Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $54,320 | 9% below national |
| 292 | Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $53,690 | 11% below national |
| 293 | Punta Gorda, FL | $53,600 | 11% below national |
| 294 | North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) | $53,500 | 11% below national |
| 295 | South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $53,490 | 11% below national |
| 296 | Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $53,340 | 11% below national |
| 297 | Macon-Bibb County, GA | $53,330 | 11% below national |
| 298 | South Florida nonmetropolitan area | $53,160 | 11% below national |
| 299 | East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $53,160 | 11% below national |
| 300 | Saginaw, MI | $52,820 | 12% below national |
| 301 | West Montana nonmetropolitan area | $52,800 | 12% below national |
| 302 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $52,770 | 12% below national |
| 303 | Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $52,570 | 12% below national |
| 304 | Northern Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $52,560 | 12% below national |
| 305 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $52,510 | 13% below national |
| 306 | West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $52,420 | 13% below national |
| 307 | Battle Creek, MI | $52,230 | 13% below national |
| 308 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $52,230 | 13% below national |
| 309 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $52,200 | 13% below national |
| 310 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $52,160 | 13% below national |
| 311 | Paducah, KY-IL | $52,160 | 13% below national |
| 312 | Canton-Massillon, OH | $52,150 | 13% below national |
| 313 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $51,940 | 13% below national |
| 314 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $51,870 | 14% below national |
| 315 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $51,820 | 14% below national |
| 316 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $51,790 | 14% below national |
| 317 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $51,780 | 14% below national |
| 318 | Elizabethtown, KY | $51,720 | 14% below national |
| 319 | Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $51,700 | 14% below national |
| 320 | Greensboro-High Point, NC | $51,680 | 14% below national |
| 321 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $51,630 | 14% below national |
| 322 | Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $51,570 | 14% below national |
| 323 | Montgomery, AL | $51,470 | 14% below national |
| 324 | Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $51,370 | 14% below national |
| 325 | Warner Robins, GA | $51,250 | 15% below national |
| 326 | Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $51,220 | 15% below national |
| 327 | Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $51,210 | 15% below national |
| 328 | Rocky Mount, NC | $51,100 | 15% below national |
| 329 | Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $51,060 | 15% below national |
| 330 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $51,030 | 15% below national |
| 331 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $50,960 | 15% below national |
| 332 | Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $50,930 | 15% below national |
| 333 | Utica-Rome, NY | $50,920 | 15% below national |
| 334 | Savannah, GA | $50,830 | 15% below national |
| 335 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $50,770 | 15% below national |
| 336 | Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $50,760 | 15% below national |
| 337 | Asheville, NC | $50,740 | 15% below national |
| 338 | Idaho Falls, ID | $50,680 | 16% below national |
| 339 | Cleveland, TN | $50,670 | 16% below national |
| 340 | St. Joseph, MO-KS | $50,670 | 16% below national |
| 341 | Youngstown-Warren, OH | $50,660 | 16% below national |
| 342 | Mansfield, OH | $50,610 | 16% below national |
| 343 | Oklahoma City, OK | $50,460 | 16% below national |
| 344 | Columbus, GA-AL | $50,310 | 16% below national |
| 345 | Columbia, MO | $50,270 | 16% below national |
| 346 | Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $50,270 | 16% below national |
| 347 | Sherman-Denison, TX | $50,150 | 16% below national |
| 348 | El Paso, TX | $50,030 | 17% below national |
| 349 | Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $50,000 | 17% below national |
| 350 | West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $50,000 | 17% below national |
| 351 | Tulsa, OK | $49,990 | 17% below national |
| 352 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $49,930 | 17% below national |
| 353 | Tyler, TX | $49,860 | 17% below national |
| 354 | Southern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $49,810 | 17% below national |
| 355 | Winston-Salem, NC | $49,790 | 17% below national |
| 356 | College Station-Bryan, TX | $49,770 | 17% below national |
| 357 | Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $49,770 | 17% below national |
| 358 | Joplin, MO-KS | $49,750 | 17% below national |
| 359 | Muncie, IN | $49,750 | 17% below national |
| 360 | Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $49,750 | 17% below national |
| 361 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $49,740 | 17% below national |
| 362 | Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $49,730 | 17% below national |
| 363 | Upper East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $49,700 | 17% below national |
| 364 | Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $49,640 | 17% below national |
| 365 | Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $49,540 | 17% below national |
| 366 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $49,280 | 18% below national |
| 367 | Lexington-Fayette, KY | $49,280 | 18% below national |
| 368 | Springfield, MO | $49,270 | 18% below national |
| 369 | Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $49,240 | 18% below national |
| 370 | Lynchburg, VA | $49,180 | 18% below national |
| 371 | Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $49,150 | 18% below national |
| 372 | Yuma, AZ | $49,090 | 18% below national |
| 373 | Jackson, TN | $49,070 | 18% below national |
| 374 | Dothan, AL | $49,040 | 18% below national |
| 375 | Southeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $49,020 | 18% below national |
| 376 | Maryland nonmetropolitan area | $48,980 | 18% below national |
| 377 | Arizona nonmetropolitan area | $48,960 | 18% below national |
| 378 | Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $48,950 | 18% below national |
| 379 | Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $48,930 | 18% below national |
| 380 | Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $48,830 | 19% below national |
| 381 | Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $48,800 | 19% below national |
| 382 | Southwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $48,790 | 19% below national |
| 383 | Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $48,650 | 19% below national |
| 384 | Topeka, KS | $48,570 | 19% below national |
| 385 | Jefferson City, MO | $48,550 | 19% below national |
| 386 | Hill Country Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $48,430 | 19% below national |
| 387 | Beckley, WV | $48,340 | 19% below national |
| 388 | Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $48,340 | 19% below national |
| 389 | Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $48,210 | 20% below national |
| 390 | Albuquerque, NM | $48,190 | 20% below national |
| 391 | Anniston-Oxford, AL | $48,130 | 20% below national |
| 392 | Winchester, VA-WV | $48,120 | 20% below national |
| 393 | Farmington, NM | $48,080 | 20% below national |
| 394 | Southside Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $48,080 | 20% below national |
| 395 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $48,070 | 20% below national |
| 396 | Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $48,070 | 20% below national |
| 397 | Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $47,940 | 20% below national |
| 398 | Midland, TX | $47,930 | 20% below national |
| 399 | Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $47,770 | 20% below national |
| 400 | Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $47,740 | 20% below national |
| 401 | Mobile, AL | $47,730 | 20% below national |
| 402 | Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $47,700 | 21% below national |
| 403 | Albany, GA | $47,650 | 21% below national |
| 404 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $47,560 | 21% below national |
| 405 | Manhattan, KS | $47,490 | 21% below national |
| 406 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $47,420 | 21% below national |
| 407 | Las Cruces, NM | $47,350 | 21% below national |
| 408 | Wheeling, WV-OH | $47,330 | 21% below national |
| 409 | Lubbock, TX | $47,320 | 21% below national |
| 410 | Baton Rouge, LA | $47,290 | 21% below national |
| 411 | Victoria, TX | $47,280 | 21% below national |
| 412 | Lake Charles, LA | $47,270 | 21% below national |
| 413 | Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $47,260 | 21% below national |
| 414 | Johnson City, TN | $47,220 | 21% below national |
| 415 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $47,210 | 21% below national |
| 416 | Salisbury, MD | $47,210 | 21% below national |
| 417 | Longview, TX | $47,190 | 21% below national |
| 418 | Burlington, NC | $47,110 | 22% below national |
| 419 | Jackson, MS | $47,070 | 22% below national |
| 420 | Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $46,730 | 22% below national |
| 421 | Northeastern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $46,710 | 22% below national |
| 422 | Morristown, TN | $46,680 | 22% below national |
| 423 | Abilene, TX | $46,660 | 22% below national |
| 424 | Roanoke, VA | $46,620 | 22% below national |
| 425 | Charleston, WV | $46,570 | 22% below national |
| 426 | Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $46,560 | 22% below national |
| 427 | Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $46,550 | 22% below national |
| 428 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $46,540 | 22% below national |
| 429 | Eastern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $46,520 | 22% below national |
| 430 | Morgantown, WV | $46,490 | 23% below national |
| 431 | North Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $46,460 | 23% below national |
| 432 | Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $46,200 | 23% below national |
| 433 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $46,170 | 23% below national |
| 434 | Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $46,130 | 23% below national |
| 435 | South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $46,100 | 23% below national |
| 436 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $46,080 | 23% below national |
| 437 | Gainesville, GA | $46,040 | 23% below national |
| 438 | North Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $46,040 | 23% below national |
| 439 | East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $45,960 | 23% below national |
| 440 | Sumter, SC | $45,930 | 23% below national |
| 441 | Wichita, KS | $45,890 | 24% below national |
| 442 | West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $45,860 | 24% below national |
| 443 | Clarksville, TN-KY | $45,820 | 24% below national |
| 444 | Bowling Green, KY | $45,650 | 24% below national |
| 445 | Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $45,560 | 24% below national |
| 446 | North Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $45,500 | 24% below national |
| 447 | Northwestern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $45,480 | 24% below national |
| 448 | West Delta Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $45,390 | 24% below national |
| 449 | South Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $45,240 | 25% below national |
| 450 | Laredo, TX | $45,150 | 25% below national |
| 451 | Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $45,130 | 25% below national |
| 452 | Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $45,110 | 25% below national |
| 453 | Lafayette, LA | $45,080 | 25% below national |
| 454 | Alexandria, LA | $45,050 | 25% below national |
| 455 | Terre Haute, IN | $45,030 | 25% below national |
| 456 | Southern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $44,940 | 25% below national |
| 457 | Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $44,930 | 25% below national |
| 458 | Wichita Falls, TX | $44,840 | 25% below national |
| 459 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $44,780 | 25% below national |
| 460 | Hinesville, GA | $44,730 | 25% below national |
| 461 | Lower East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $44,680 | 26% below national |
| 462 | Athens-Clarke County, GA | $44,580 | 26% below national |
| 463 | North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $44,580 | 26% below national |
| 464 | West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $44,530 | 26% below national |
| 465 | Southwest Louisiana nonmetropolitan area | $44,510 | 26% below national |
| 466 | Sebring, FL | $44,420 | 26% below national |
| 467 | Hattiesburg, MS | $43,750 | 27% below national |
| 468 | Kansas nonmetropolitan area | $43,430 | 28% below national |
| 469 | West Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $43,420 | 28% below national |
| 470 | Amarillo, TX | $43,220 | 28% below national |
| 471 | Lower West Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $43,070 | 28% below national |
| 472 | South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $42,900 | 29% below national |
| 473 | San Angelo, TX | $42,640 | 29% below national |
| 474 | Monroe, LA | $42,440 | 29% below national |
| 475 | Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area | $41,740 | 30% below national |
| 476 | Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $41,470 | 31% below national |
| 477 | North Florida nonmetropolitan area | $41,420 | 31% below national |
| 478 | Border Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $41,410 | 31% below national |
| 479 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $40,830 | 32% below national |
| 480 | Coastal Plains Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $40,650 | 32% below national |
| 481 | Northeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $40,530 | 32% below national |
| 482 | Lawton, OK | $40,190 | 33% below national |
| 483 | Bloomington, IN | $40,010 | 33% below national |
| 484 | Jonesboro, AR | $39,570 | 34% below national |
| 485 | Rome, GA | $39,370 | 34% below national |
| 486 | Texarkana, TX-AR | $39,260 | 35% below national |
| 487 | North Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $39,070 | 35% below national |
| 488 | Northeast Louisiana nonmetropolitan area | $39,060 | 35% below national |
| 489 | South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $38,910 | 35% below national |
| 490 | Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $38,780 | 35% below national |
| 491 | Northwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $38,640 | 36% below national |
| 492 | Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $38,360 | 36% below national |
| 493 | East Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $38,340 | 36% below national |
| 494 | East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $38,250 | 36% below national |
| 495 | Valdosta, GA | $37,960 | 37% below national |
| 496 | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $37,800 | 37% below national |
| 497 | Southwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $37,670 | 37% below national |
| 498 | East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $37,470 | 38% below national |
| 499 | Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $37,120 | 38% below national |
| 500 | Hot Springs, AR | $35,520 | 41% below national |
| 501 | San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $29,220 | 51% below national |
Similar Occupations in the Same Category
Other roles in SOC major group 51 (production) with comparable pay and career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make? ▼
The median annual salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators is $60,020 ($28.86/hour). The salary range spans from $39,110 at the 10th percentile to $91,060 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators the most? ▼
California pays the highest median salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators at $81,770/year, which is +36% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators is High school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training.
How dangerous is being a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators? ▼
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators has a safety grade of B (Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 3.5 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 3.2 per 100 workers.
Is Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators a good career? ▼
Employment for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators is projected to decline 6.5% from 2024 to 2034, which is declining. About 10,700 openings are projected each year.
How does Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay vary by state? ▼
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is California at $81,770/year, while Louisiana pays the least at $46,210/year. BLS data covers 52 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $125,160/year. BLS reports wage data for 501 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.
What to do with this data
How to use Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay figures in a real decision
- For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $74,780/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: California leads at $81,770/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.