West Virginia Median
$47,560
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.87
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-21% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#44 of 50
1,100 employed here
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in West Virginia?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators working in West Virginia earn a median salary of $47,560 per year, or about $22.87 per hour. That is 21% below the national median of $60,020 for this occupation.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $35,360 while the top 10% make $75,240 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,110 and $57,970 a year.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,360 | $17.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $41,110 | $19.76 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,560 | $22.87 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $57,970 | $27.87 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,240 | $36.17 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 44th 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 $60,160Virginia $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 $48,190Kansas $46,780Mississippi $46,480Louisiana $46,210Oklahoma $45,890Kentucky $45,430Arkansas $44,320
Working as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in West 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 West Virginia pay ($47,560) 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 West Virginia?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in West Virginia is $47,560 per year, or about $22.87 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,360 at the entry level to $75,240 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 21% less than the national median of $60,020. West Virginia ranks 44th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $47,560 a year. About 1,100 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in West 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.