Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 51-8031As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the United States is $60,020 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 128,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Signing an offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,110 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $48,040 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $60,020 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $74,780 | Experienced |
| 90th | $91,060 | Senior / highest decile |
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Start $1 Trial →Median Salary by State
| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $81,770 | $87,190 | 12,000 |
| Nevada | $81,440 | $80,880 | — |
| Washington | $80,800 | $82,770 | 2,000 |
| Connecticut | $78,820 | $78,890 | 980 |
| New Jersey | $78,760 | $77,530 | 2,000 |
| Minnesota | $74,670 | $71,490 | 2,000 |
| Colorado | $74,200 | $72,670 | 3,000 |
| Oregon | $69,720 | $70,620 | 1,000 |
| Massachusetts | $68,550 | $69,900 | 3,000 |
| Illinois | $67,810 | $71,820 | 4,000 |
| Hawaii | $65,560 | $64,550 | 610 |
| Delaware | $64,940 | $66,310 | 340 |
| New York | $63,990 | $69,680 | 5,000 |
| Vermont | $63,640 | $67,130 | 320 |
| Wisconsin | $63,550 | $64,070 | 2,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,310 | $64,020 | 5,000 |
| Wyoming | $63,260 | $71,550 | 500 |
| New Hampshire | $62,940 | $64,810 | 510 |
| Maine | $61,870 | $65,010 | 710 |
| Maryland | $61,870 | $64,570 | 2,000 |
| Rhode Island | $61,820 | $64,260 | 420 |
| Arizona | $61,340 | $61,160 | 4,000 |
| Utah | $61,290 | $61,930 | 2,000 |
| Nebraska | $61,220 | $60,380 | 740 |
| Iowa | $60,990 | $60,790 | 2,000 |
| North Dakota | $60,470 | $62,080 | 550 |
| Alaska | $60,160 | $68,600 | 750 |
| Virginia | $59,420 | $60,500 | 3,000 |
| Michigan | $59,270 | $60,080 | 3,000 |
| Ohio | $59,170 | $58,990 | 6,000 |
| Florida | $59,030 | $61,180 | 7,000 |
| Montana | $58,040 | $61,570 | 690 |
| Indiana | $53,540 | $56,680 | 3,000 |
| South Dakota | $53,370 | $55,750 | 1,000 |
| Idaho | $52,210 | $55,060 | 1,000 |
| South Carolina | $52,090 | $55,910 | 3,000 |
| Alabama | $51,870 | $55,300 | 3,000 |
| North Carolina | $51,680 | $54,620 | 4,000 |
| Tennessee | $50,670 | $53,790 | 3,000 |
| Missouri | $49,940 | $53,190 | 3,000 |
| Texas | $49,460 | $51,920 | 11,000 |
| Georgia | $48,930 | $51,630 | 3,000 |
| New Mexico | $48,190 | $53,870 | 2,000 |
| Virgin Islands | $48,030 | $55,840 | 30 |
| West Virginia | $47,560 | $50,590 | 1,000 |
| Kansas | $46,780 | $49,290 | 2,000 |
| Mississippi | $46,480 | $49,060 | 1,000 |
| Louisiana | $46,210 | $48,160 | 2,000 |
| Oklahoma | $45,890 | $47,350 | 2,000 |
| Kentucky | $45,430 | $47,770 | 3,000 |
| Arkansas | $44,320 | $45,590 | 2,000 |
| Puerto Rico | $29,220 | $29,580 | 1,000 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the US?
The US national median wage for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is $60,020 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the US?
Pay ranges from $39,110 at the 10th percentile to $91,060 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators the most?
The highest-paying states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators include California ($81,770), Nevada ($81,440), Washington ($80,800). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — California ($81,770) pays roughly 180% more than Puerto Rico ($29,220). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-09-02