Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in St. Louis

In St. Louis (MO), the median pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is $27.81 an hour ($57,850 a year). About 1,220 people work in this job there.

$27.81Median hourly pay
$51,540–$69,360Middle half of workers, yearly
1,220People in this job in St. Louis (MO)

That is 4% lower than the U.S. median ($60,020). It is 16% higher than the Missouri median ($49,940).

Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in St. Louis (MO)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$21.53$44,780
25% of workers$24.78$51,540
Half of workers (median)$27.81$57,850
75% of workers$33.34$69,360
90% of workers$39.26$81,660

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in Missouri metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
St. Louis (this page)$57,8501,220
Kansas City$52,770740
Cape Girardeau$50,96060
St. Joseph$50,67090
Columbia$50,27090
Joplin$49,750100
Springfield$49,270150
Jefferson City$48,55070

Missouri unemployment rate: 3.5% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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)

Related jobs in St. Louis (MO)

JobMedian yearly pay
Civil Engineers$96,830
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$53,500

Other job titles for this job

Water Quality TechnicianWater Quality TechWater Treatment SpecialistRelief OperatorSewer OperatorWater Plant OperatorWater Pump OperatorWater PumperBasin TenderBiosolids Management TechnicianBiosolids Management TechClarifying Plant Operator

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Source: 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.