Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $60,020 · Median hourly: $28.86 · Employment: 128,490
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,110 | $18.80 |
| 25th | $48,040 | $23.10 |
| Median | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| 75th | $74,780 | $35.95 |
| 90th | $91,060 | $43.78 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 51-8031
- Total U.S. employment: 128,490
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What this means
With approximately 128,490 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators employed, this is a major occupation in the labor market.
The median wage in this area is 0.0% below the national median — a difference of about $0 per year for a typical worker.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $51,870 | $24.94 | -13.6% | 2,770 |
| Alaska | $60,160 | $28.92 | +0.2% | 750 |
| Arizona | $61,340 | $29.49 | +2.2% | 3,950 |
| Arkansas | $44,320 | $21.31 | -26.2% | 2,010 |
| California | $81,770 | $39.31 | +36.2% | 11,630 |
| Colorado | $74,200 | $35.68 | +23.6% | 2,620 |
| Connecticut | $78,820 | $37.90 | +31.3% | 980 |
| Delaware | $64,940 | $31.22 | +8.2% | 340 |
| Florida | $59,030 | $28.38 | -1.6% | 7,440 |
| Georgia | $48,930 | $23.52 | -18.5% | 3,310 |
| Hawaii | $65,560 | $31.52 | +9.2% | 610 |
| Idaho | $52,210 | $25.10 | -13.0% | 1,480 |
| Illinois | $67,810 | $32.60 | +13.0% | 3,500 |
| Indiana | $53,540 | $25.74 | -10.8% | 3,140 |
| Iowa | $60,990 | $29.32 | +1.6% | 2,370 |
| Kansas | $46,780 | $22.49 | -22.1% | 1,560 |
| Kentucky | $45,430 | $21.84 | -24.3% | 2,540 |
| Louisiana | $46,210 | $22.22 | -23.0% | 2,450 |
| Maine | $61,870 | $29.74 | +3.1% | 710 |
| Maryland | $61,870 | $29.75 | +3.1% | 1,770 |
| Massachusetts | $68,550 | $32.96 | +14.2% | 2,510 |
| Michigan | $59,270 | $28.49 | -1.2% | 3,400 |
| Minnesota | $74,670 | $35.90 | +24.4% | 2,290 |
| Mississippi | $46,480 | $22.34 | -22.6% | 1,150 |
| Missouri | $49,940 | $24.01 | -16.8% | 3,000 |
| Montana | $58,040 | $27.90 | -3.3% | 690 |
| Nebraska | $61,220 | $29.43 | +2.0% | 740 |
| Nevada | $81,440 | $39.15 | +35.7% | 0 |
| New Hampshire | $62,940 | $30.26 | +4.9% | 510 |
| New Jersey | $78,760 | $37.87 | +31.2% | 2,500 |
| New Mexico | $48,190 | $23.17 | -19.7% | 2,110 |
| New York | $63,990 | $30.76 | +6.6% | 5,300 |
| North Carolina | $51,680 | $24.85 | -13.9% | 3,620 |
| North Dakota | $60,470 | $29.07 | +0.7% | 550 |
| Ohio | $59,170 | $28.45 | -1.4% | 5,870 |
| Oklahoma | $45,890 | $22.06 | -23.5% | 2,280 |
| Oregon | $69,720 | $33.52 | +16.2% | 1,240 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,310 | $30.44 | +5.5% | 4,660 |
| Rhode Island | $61,820 | $29.72 | +3.0% | 420 |
| South Carolina | $52,090 | $25.05 | -13.2% | 2,650 |
| South Dakota | $53,370 | $25.66 | -11.1% | 1,060 |
| Tennessee | $50,670 | $24.36 | -15.6% | 3,140 |
| Texas | $49,460 | $23.78 | -17.6% | 10,520 |
| Utah | $61,290 | $29.47 | +2.1% | 1,900 |
| Vermont | $63,640 | $30.60 | +6.0% | 320 |
| Virginia | $59,420 | $28.57 | -1.0% | 3,460 |
| Washington | $80,800 | $38.85 | +34.6% | 2,030 |
| West Virginia | $47,560 | $22.87 | -20.8% | 1,100 |
| Wisconsin | $63,550 | $30.56 | +5.9% | 2,230 |
| Wyoming | $63,260 | $30.41 | +5.4% | 500 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Retail Salespersons — $35,410/yr
- Fast Food and Counter Workers — $31,200/yr
- General and Operations Managers — $105,770/yr
- Registered Nurses — $97,550/yr
- Cashiers — $32,880/yr
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,240/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators?
The median annual wage for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is $60,020 ($28.86 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 128,490 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $28.86. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.