Kentucky Median
$45,430
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.84
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-24% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#49 of 50
2,540 employed here
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in Kentucky?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Kentucky take home a median of $45,430 annually — roughly $21.84 an hour — which runs 24% below the national median of $60,020.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $33,210 while the top 10% make $63,740 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,050 and $57,510 a year.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,210 | $15.97 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,050 | $17.33 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $45,430 | $21.84 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $57,510 | $27.65 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,740 | $30.64 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 49th 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
California $81,770Nevada $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 $45,890Arkansas $44,320
Working as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Kentucky
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 Kentucky pay ($45,430) 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 Kentucky?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Kentucky is $45,430 per year, or about $21.84 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,210 at the entry level to $63,740 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 24% less than the national median of $60,020. Kentucky ranks 49th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $45,430 a year. About 2,540 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary report
Related salaries
$65,380
median pay · 34,000 employed
$42,660
median pay · 11,000 employed
$50,690
median pay · 169,000 employed
$48,250
median pay · 159,000 employed
$44,810
median pay · 20,000 employed
$53,710
median pay · 34,000 employed
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.