Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is $28.86 an hour ($60,020 a year). About 128,490 people work in this job there.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.80 | $39,110 |
| 25% of workers | $23.10 | $48,040 |
| Half of workers (median) | $28.86 | $60,020 |
| 75% of workers | $35.95 | $74,780 |
| 90% of workers | $43.78 | $91,060 |
Best-paying states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $81,770 | 11,630 |
| Nevada | $81,440 | 0 |
| Washington | $80,800 | 2,030 |
| Connecticut | $78,820 | 980 |
| New Jersey | $78,760 | 2,500 |
| Minnesota | $74,670 | 2,290 |
| Colorado | $74,200 | 2,620 |
| Oregon | $69,720 | 1,240 |
| Massachusetts | $68,550 | 2,510 |
| Illinois | $67,810 | 3,500 |
Pay by state
- Alabama · $51,870
- Alaska · $60,160
- Arizona · $61,340
- Arkansas · $44,320
- California · $81,770
- Colorado · $74,200
- Connecticut · $78,820
- Florida · $59,030
- Georgia · $48,930
- Hawaii · $65,560
- Idaho · $52,210
- Illinois · $67,810
- Indiana · $53,540
- Iowa · $60,990
- Kansas · $46,780
- Kentucky · $45,430
- Louisiana · $46,210
- Maine · $61,870
- Maryland · $61,870
- Massachusetts · $68,550
- Michigan · $59,270
- Minnesota · $74,670
- Mississippi · $46,480
- Missouri · $49,940
- Montana · $58,040
- Nebraska · $61,220
- New Hampshire · $62,940
- New Jersey · $78,760
- New Mexico · $48,190
- New York · $63,990
- North Carolina · $51,680
- North Dakota · $60,470
- Ohio · $59,170
- Oklahoma · $45,890
- Oregon · $69,720
- Pennsylvania · $63,310
- South Carolina · $52,090
- South Dakota · $53,370
- Tennessee · $50,670
- Texas · $49,460
- Utah · $61,290
- Virginia · $59,420
- Washington · $80,800
- West Virginia · $47,560
- Wisconsin · $63,550
- Wyoming · $63,260
Education, experience and outlook for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -5.7% over ten years, declining · about 10,000 openings a year (BLS)
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.