Rhode Island Median
$61,820
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.72
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#21 of 50
420 employed here
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in Rhode Island?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators working in Rhode Island earn a median salary of $61,820 per year, or about $29.72 per hour. That is 3% above the national median of $60,020 for this occupation.
Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $49,150 while the top 10% make $84,640 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $53,020 and $75,720 a year.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,150 | $23.63 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $53,020 | $25.49 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,820 | $29.72 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $75,720 | $36.40 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,640 | $40.69 |
|
How Rhode Island compares
Rhode Island ranks 21st 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 $61,870Arizona $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 Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island pay ($61,820) 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 Rhode Island?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Rhode Island is $61,820 per year, or about $29.72 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,150 at the entry level to $84,640 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 3% more than the national median of $60,020. Rhode Island ranks 21st out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Yes on pay — Rhode Island pays above the national median for this occupation, at $61,820 a year. About 420 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in Rhode Island. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island?
The highest-paying occupations in Rhode Island include Emergency Medicine Physician ($512,730), Family Medicine Physician ($467,160), Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($450,370), 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.