California Median
$81,770
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.31
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+36% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#1 of 50
11,630 employed here
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in California?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in California take home a median of $81,770 annually — roughly $39.31 an hour — which runs 36% above the national median of $60,020.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $56,030 while the top 10% make $123,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,250 and $103,550 a year.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,030 | $26.94 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $65,250 | $31.37 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $81,770 | $39.31 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $103,550 | $49.78 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,380 | $59.32 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 50 states and territories for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in other states
Nevada $81,440Washington $80,800Connecticut $78,820New Jersey $78,760Minnesota $74,670Colorado $74,200Oregon $69,720Massachusetts $68,550Illinois $67,810Hawaii $65,560Delaware $64,940New York $63,990Vermont $63,640Wisconsin $63,550Pennsylvania $63,310Wyoming $63,260New Hampshire $62,940Maine $61,870Maryland $61,870Rhode Island $61,820Arizona $61,340Utah $61,290Nebraska $61,220Iowa $60,990North Dakota $60,470Alaska $60,160Virginia $59,420Michigan $59,270Ohio $59,170Florida $59,030Montana $58,040Indiana $53,540South Dakota $53,370Idaho $52,210South Carolina $52,090Alabama $51,870North Carolina $51,680Tennessee $50,670Missouri $49,940Texas $49,460Georgia $48,930New Mexico $48,190West Virginia $47,560Kansas $46,780Mississippi $46,480Louisiana $46,210Oklahoma $45,890Kentucky $45,430Arkansas $44,320
Working as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in California
Nationally, about 128,000 people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($81,770) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in California?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in California is $81,770 per year, or about $39.31 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $56,030 at the entry level to $123,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 36% more than the national median of $60,020. California ranks 1st out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $81,770 a year. About 11,630 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.