Pennsylvania Median
$63,310
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.44
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#16 of 50
4,660 employed here
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in Pennsylvania?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators working in Pennsylvania earn a median salary of $63,310 per year, or about $30.44 per hour. That is 5% above the national median of $60,020 for this occupation.
Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $45,670 while the top 10% make $80,480 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $54,540 and $74,300 a year.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,670 | $21.96 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $54,540 | $26.22 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $63,310 | $30.44 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $74,300 | $35.72 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,480 | $38.69 |
|
How Pennsylvania compares
Pennsylvania ranks 16th 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 $63,550Wyoming $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 $45,890Kentucky $45,430Arkansas $44,320
Working as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania pay ($63,310) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Pennsylvania is $63,310 per year, or about $30.44 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,670 at the entry level to $80,480 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 5% more than the national median of $60,020. Pennsylvania ranks 16th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Yes on pay — Pennsylvania pays above the national median for this occupation, at $63,310 a year. About 4,660 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in Pennsylvania. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.