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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Ohio Median
$59,170
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.45
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#30 of 50
5,870 employed here

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

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Ohio take home a median of $59,170 annually — roughly $28.45 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $60,020.

Within Ohio, entry-level pay starts around $45,350 while the top 10% make $75,200 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,980 and $65,670 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$45,350$21.80
25th percentile (early career)$48,980$23.55
50th percentile (median)$59,170$28.45
75th percentile (experienced)$65,670$31.57
90th percentile (top earners)$75,200$36.15

How Ohio compares

Ohio ranks 30th 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 Ohio

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 Ohio pay ($59,170) 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 Ohio?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Ohio is $59,170 per year, or about $28.45 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,350 at the entry level to $75,200 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Ohio pay compare to the national average?
Ohio pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 1% less than the national median of $60,020. Ohio ranks 30th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Ohio a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $59,170 a year. About 5,870 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in Ohio. 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 Ohio?
The highest-paying occupations in Ohio include Surgeon, All Other ($554,220), Cardiologist ($504,260), Anesthesiologist ($490,530), 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.