How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make?
The median pay for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the United States is $60,020 per year — about $28.86 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $39,110, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $91,060.
That is $1,370 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range by percentile
Half of all Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators earn between $48,040 and $74,780 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,110 | $18.80 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,040 | $23.10 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,020 | $28.86 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $74,780 | $35.95 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,060 | $43.78 |
Highest-paying states for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. California leads the country for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay at $81,770 a year, followed by Nevada ($81,440) and Washington ($80,800). At the other end, Arkansas posts the lowest median at $44,320 — a gap of $37,450 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $81,770 | $39.31 | +36% |
| 2 | Nevada | $81,440 | $39.15 | +36% |
| 3 | Washington | $80,800 | $38.85 | +35% |
| 4 | Connecticut | $78,820 | $37.89 | +31% |
| 5 | New Jersey | $78,760 | $37.87 | +31% |
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 50 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 128,000 people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $62,540 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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