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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Louisiana Median
$46,210
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.22
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-23% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#47 of 50
2,450 employed here

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

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators working in Louisiana earn a median salary of $46,210 per year, or about $22.22 per hour. That is 23% below the national median of $60,020 for this occupation.

Within Louisiana, entry-level pay starts around $31,440 while the top 10% make $63,870 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,120 and $55,910 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,440$15.12
25th percentile (early career)$37,120$17.85
50th percentile (median)$46,210$22.22
75th percentile (experienced)$55,910$26.88
90th percentile (top earners)$63,870$30.71

How Louisiana compares

Louisiana ranks 47th 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 Louisiana

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 Louisiana pay ($46,210) 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 Louisiana?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Louisiana is $46,210 per year, or about $22.22 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,440 at the entry level to $63,870 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Louisiana pay compare to the national average?
Louisiana pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 23% less than the national median of $60,020. Louisiana ranks 47th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Louisiana a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $46,210 a year. About 2,450 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in Louisiana. 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 Louisiana?
The highest-paying occupations in Louisiana include Pediatrician, General ($502,720), Anesthesiologist ($410,500), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($404,550), 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.