How Much Does a Wastewater Operator Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$60,020
Wastewater operators in the U.S. earn a median of $60,020 a year, or $28.86 an hour. Half of wastewater operators earn more than $60,020 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $91,060.
Pay percentiles for wastewater operators
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18.80 | $39,110 |
| 25th | $23.10 | $48,040 |
| 50th (median) | $28.86 | $60,020 |
| 75th | $35.95 | $74,780 |
| 90th | $43.78 | $91,060 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (SOC 51-8031). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for wastewater operators
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $81,770 | $39.31 | +36% |
| Nevada | $81,440 | $39.15 | +36% |
| Washington | $80,800 | $38.85 | +35% |
| Connecticut | $78,820 | $37.90 | +31% |
| New Jersey | $78,760 | $37.87 | +31% |
| Minnesota | $74,670 | $35.90 | +24% |
| Colorado | $74,200 | $35.68 | +24% |
| Oregon | $69,720 | $33.52 | +16% |
| Massachusetts | $68,550 | $32.96 | +14% |
| Illinois | $67,810 | $32.60 | +13% |
| United States | $60,020 | $28.86 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many wastewater operators are there?
BLS counts about 128,490 wastewater operators employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators”. The most jobs are in California (11,630), Texas (10,520) and Florida (7,440).
The mean (average) annual wage is $62,540, higher than the median of $60,020.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $5,002
- Biweekly
- $2,308
- Weekly
- $1,154
- Daily (8 hours)
- $231
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do wastewater operators make an hour?
The median hourly wage for wastewater operators is $28.86. The middle 50% earn between $23.10 and $35.95 an hour.
Which state pays wastewater operators the most?
California has the highest median wage for wastewater operators at $81,770, +36% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for wastewater operators?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of wastewater operators earn less than $39,110 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.