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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Nebraska Median
$61,220
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.43
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#24 of 50
740 employed here

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

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Nebraska take home a median of $61,220 annually — roughly $29.43 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $60,020.

Within Nebraska, entry-level pay starts around $44,620 while the top 10% make $76,250 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,670 and $67,940 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$44,620$21.45
25th percentile (early career)$50,670$24.36
50th percentile (median)$61,220$29.43
75th percentile (experienced)$67,940$32.66
90th percentile (top earners)$76,250$36.66

How Nebraska compares

Nebraska ranks 24th 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 Nebraska

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 Nebraska pay ($61,220) 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 Nebraska?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Nebraska is $61,220 per year, or about $29.43 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,620 at the entry level to $76,250 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Nebraska pay compare to the national average?
Nebraska pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 2% more than the national median of $60,020. Nebraska ranks 24th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Nebraska a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Yes on pay — Nebraska pays above the national median for this occupation, at $61,220 a year. About 740 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in Nebraska. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Nebraska?
The highest-paying occupations in Nebraska include Cardiologist ($646,300), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($507,770), Emergency Medicine Physician ($371,880), 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.