The average salary for a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator in the United States is $58,050, but the range typically falls between $44,720 and $67,790. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $27.91, with a range between $21.5 and $32.59.
There are approximately 120,710 people employed as a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator in the United States. With Texas, California, Florida employing the highest number of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.The state with the best pay for a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator is Nevada, with an average annual salary of $83,840, while Oklahoma has the lowest average annual salary of $41,450.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,680 | $17.64 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,720 | $21.5 |
| Median | $54,890 | $26.39 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,790 | $32.59 |
| 90th Percentile | $83,090 | $39.95 |
The salary of a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are Nevada, California, Washington, Alaska, Connecticut while the worst states are Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, West Virginia.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $30,040 | $48,170 | $68,220 |
| Alaska | $43,990 | $73,060 | $100,640 |
| Arizona | $39,790 | $56,500 | $68,630 |
| Arkansas | $29,150 | $44,790 | $64,360 |
| California | $49,290 | $81,510 | $112,560 |
| Colorado | $45,920 | $64,240 | $84,580 |
| Connecticut | $53,560 | $74,420 | $98,680 |
| Delaware | $42,390 | $58,560 | $80,980 |
| Florida | $37,010 | $56,210 | $77,830 |
| Georgia | $33,400 | $49,090 | $68,000 |
| Hawaii | $46,800 | $62,140 | $71,840 |
| Idaho | $36,110 | $48,510 | $62,390 |
| Illinois | $39,760 | $68,220 | $97,130 |
| Indiana | $39,830 | $52,930 | $67,320 |
| Iowa | $36,720 | $54,480 | $70,300 |
| Kansas | $34,220 | $47,140 | $61,610 |
| Kentucky | $32,520 | $48,010 | $62,910 |
| Louisiana | $29,240 | $43,060 | $61,010 |
| Maine | $39,720 | $52,330 | $66,710 |
| Maryland | $39,270 | $57,360 | $89,200 |
| Massachusetts | $47,230 | $67,470 | $83,740 |
| Michigan | $42,680 | $57,340 | $73,750 |
| Minnesota | $48,340 | $67,230 | $83,950 |
| Mississippi | $27,660 | $42,250 | $59,360 |
| Missouri | $33,290 | $50,590 | $66,350 |
| Montana | $44,150 | $56,620 | $72,580 |
| Nebraska | $40,560 | $54,270 | $67,240 |
| Nevada | $53,190 | $83,840 | $130,020 |
| New Hampshire | $44,390 | $57,560 | $73,720 |
| New Jersey | $46,580 | $69,470 | $93,560 |
| New Mexico | $29,960 | $47,490 | $69,960 |
| New York | $45,380 | $66,230 | $93,850 |
| North Carolina | $36,440 | $50,530 | $67,330 |
| North Dakota | $45,600 | $56,950 | $75,900 |
| Ohio | $39,080 | $55,240 | $72,110 |
| Oklahoma | $29,570 | $41,450 | $54,550 |
| Oregon | $44,220 | $64,050 | $80,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,670 | $59,190 | $78,390 |
| Rhode Island | $47,220 | $59,760 | $77,730 |
| South Carolina | $32,060 | $49,290 | $66,440 |
| South Dakota | $39,330 | $54,180 | $72,800 |
| Tennessee | $36,260 | $51,870 | $67,450 |
| Texas | $33,420 | $48,420 | $68,220 |
| Utah | $40,070 | $56,310 | $72,480 |
| Vermont | $44,720 | $57,710 | $72,520 |
| Virginia | $34,950 | $52,040 | $69,560 |
| Washington | $58,770 | $80,850 | $105,000 |
| West Virginia | $30,170 | $44,360 | $59,690 |
| Wisconsin | $46,900 | $60,170 | $75,330 |
| Wyoming | $37,220 | $57,430 | $88,830 |
Even between cities, the salary of a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area, CA with an average salary of $105,340.The city with the lowest average salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area, AR with an average salary of $35,670.
Areas with highest average salaries for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
Areas with lowest average salaries for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
The number of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators has increased by 1,330. On average, the number of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators has been increasing by 0.3% each year. The salary of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators has increased by $6,160. On average, the salary of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators has been increasing by 3.0% each year.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are part of the production occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all production occupations jobs here.
$40,860 per year
$47,490 per year
$44,780 per year
$54,600 per year
$42,550 per year
$44,450 per year
