Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Kansas (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Kansas, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kansas Median
$46,780
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.49
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-22% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#45 of 50
1,560 employed here

How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in Kansas?

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Kansas take home a median of $46,780 annually — roughly $22.49 an hour — which runs 22% below the national median of $60,020.

Within Kansas, entry-level pay starts around $35,870 while the top 10% make $66,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,830 and $56,240 a year.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range in Kansas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,870$17.25
25th percentile (early career)$40,830$19.63
50th percentile (median)$46,780$22.49
75th percentile (experienced)$56,240$27.04
90th percentile (top earners)$66,800$32.12

How Kansas compares

Kansas ranks 45th out of 50 states and territories for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$81,770
2Nevada$81,440
3Washington$80,800
4Connecticut$78,820
5New Jersey$78,760

Working as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Kansas

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 Kansas pay ($46,780) 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 Kansas?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Kansas is $46,780 per year, or about $22.49 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,870 at the entry level to $66,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kansas pay compare to the national average?
Kansas pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 22% less than the national median of $60,020. Kansas ranks 45th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kansas a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $46,780 a year. About 1,560 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in Kansas. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Kansas include Anesthesiologist ($437,030), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($311,630), Psychiatrist ($278,100), 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.