Washington Median
$80,800
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+35% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#3 of 50
2,030 employed here
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in Washington?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators working in Washington earn a median salary of $80,800 per year, or about $38.85 per hour. That is 35% above the national median of $60,020 for this occupation.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $57,720 while the top 10% make $106,270 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $67,690 and $99,940 a year.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,720 | $27.75 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $67,690 | $32.54 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $80,800 | $38.85 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $99,940 | $48.05 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,270 | $51.09 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 3rd 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 $81,440Connecticut $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 $60,160Virginia $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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($80,800) 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 Washington?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Washington is $80,800 per year, or about $38.85 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $57,720 at the entry level to $106,270 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 35% more than the national median of $60,020. Washington ranks 3rd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $80,800 a year. About 2,030 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.