Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in Cleveland

In Cleveland (OH), the median pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is $30.42 an hour ($63,260 a year). About 1,020 people work in this job there.

$30.42Median hourly pay
$53,330–$71,450Middle half of workers, yearly
1,020People in this job in Cleveland (OH)

That is 5% higher than the U.S. median ($60,020). It is 7% higher than the Ohio median ($59,170).

Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Cleveland (OH)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$22.90$47,630
25% of workers$25.64$53,330
Half of workers (median)$30.42$63,260
75% of workers$34.35$71,450
90% of workers$38.55$80,190

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

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Lima$64,31050
Columbus$63,700730
Cleveland (this page)$63,2601,020
Sandusky$62,79070
Cincinnati$61,460960
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek$61,050410
Akron$60,410240
Toledo$58,740430
Canton-Massillon$52,150210
Youngstown-Warren$50,660290
Mansfield$50,61080

Ohio unemployment rate: 3.3% (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 Cleveland (OH)

JobMedian yearly pay
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$62,200
Civil Engineers$96,190

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.