Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in Pittsburgh

In Pittsburgh (PA), the median pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is $31.48 an hour ($65,480 a year). About 1,020 people work in this job there.

$31.48Median hourly pay
$56,520–$77,750Middle half of workers, yearly
1,020People in this job in Pittsburgh (PA)

That is 9% higher than the U.S. median ($60,020). It is 3% higher than the Pennsylvania median ($63,310).

Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Pittsburgh (PA)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$21.99$45,750
25% of workers$27.17$56,520
Half of workers (median)$31.48$65,480
75% of workers$37.38$77,750
90% of workers$42.87$89,170

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

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington$66,6801,650
Pittsburgh (this page)$65,4801,020
Altoona$65,11070
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton$64,190320
Harrisburg-Carlisle$63,680280
Lancaster$63,630260
Lebanon$61,98040
Reading$61,300190
York-Hanover$61,250180
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre$61,110200
Chambersburg$60,53090
Johnstown$60,50070
State College$59,990110
Erie$59,180120
Williamsport$57,09050

Pennsylvania unemployment rate: 3.7% (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 Pittsburgh (PA)

JobMedian yearly pay
Civil Engineers$100,680

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.