Virginia Median
$59,420
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.57
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#28 of 50
3,460 employed here
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in Virginia?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia take home a median of $59,420 annually — roughly $28.57 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $60,020.
Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $38,590 while the top 10% make $79,470 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,980 and $73,600 a year.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range in Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,590 | $18.55 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,980 | $23.07 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,420 | $28.57 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $73,600 | $35.38 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,470 | $38.21 |
|
How Virginia compares
Virginia ranks 28th 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 $61,870Rhode Island $61,820Arizona $61,340Utah $61,290Nebraska $61,220Iowa $60,990North Dakota $60,470Alaska $60,160Michigan $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 Virginia
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 Virginia pay ($59,420) 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 Virginia?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Virginia is $59,420 per year, or about $28.57 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,590 at the entry level to $79,470 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 1% less than the national median of $60,020. Virginia ranks 28th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $59,420 a year. About 3,460 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.