Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary by State
Also called: Water Treatment Plant Operators
The national median pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is $60,020 a year. By state, it ranges from $44,320 in Arkansas to $81,770 in California.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $39,110
- 25th percentile
- $48,040
- Median
- $60,020
- 75th percentile
- $74,780
- Top 10%
- $91,060
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 128,490 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $81,770 | +36% | $56,030 | $123,380 | 11,630 |
| 2 | Nevada | $81,440 | +36% | $56,110 | $101,820 | Not published |
| 3 | Washington | $80,800 | +35% | $57,720 | $106,270 | 2,030 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $78,820 | +31% | $60,900 | $98,850 | 980 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $78,760 | +31% | $51,050 | $99,240 | 2,500 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $74,670 | +24% | $52,130 | $87,250 | 2,290 |
| 7 | Colorado | $74,200 | +24% | $50,130 | $95,730 | 2,620 |
| 8 | Oregon | $69,720 | +16% | $50,270 | $87,880 | 1,240 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $68,550 | +14% | $50,980 | $91,390 | 2,510 |
| 10 | Illinois | $67,810 | +13% | $42,240 | $103,690 | 3,500 |
| 11 | Hawaii | $65,560 | +9% | $46,900 | $82,680 | 610 |
| 12 | Delaware | $64,940 | +8% | $48,160 | $84,360 | 340 |
| 13 | New York | $63,990 | +7% | $48,350 | $102,260 | 5,300 |
| 14 | Vermont | $63,640 | +6% | $50,820 | $81,100 | 320 |
| 15 | Wisconsin | $63,550 | +6% | $50,340 | $78,790 | 2,230 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $63,310 | +5% | $45,670 | $80,480 | 4,660 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $63,260 | +5% | $46,960 | $107,370 | 500 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $62,940 | +5% | $49,170 | $81,290 | 510 |
| 19 | Maine | $61,870 | +3% | $49,220 | $84,730 | 710 |
| 20 | Maryland | $61,870 | +3% | $44,990 | $88,970 | 1,770 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $61,820 | +3% | $49,150 | $84,640 | 420 |
| 22 | Arizona | $61,340 | +2% | $46,690 | $80,040 | 3,950 |
| 23 | Utah | $61,290 | +2% | $45,710 | $79,860 | 1,900 |
| 24 | Nebraska | $61,220 | +2% | $44,620 | $76,250 | 740 |
| 25 | Iowa | $60,990 | +2% | $46,880 | $76,040 | 2,370 |
| 26 | North Dakota | $60,470 | +1% | $47,250 | $78,940 | 550 |
| 27 | Alaska | $60,160 | 0% | $35,200 | $99,840 | 750 |
| 28 | Virginia | $59,420 | −1% | $38,590 | $79,470 | 3,460 |
| 29 | Michigan | $59,270 | −1% | $46,710 | $75,910 | 3,400 |
| 30 | Ohio | $59,170 | −1% | $45,350 | $75,200 | 5,870 |
| 31 | Florida | $59,030 | −2% | $39,630 | $84,280 | 7,440 |
| 32 | Montana | $58,040 | −3% | $37,320 | $81,420 | 690 |
| 33 | Indiana | $53,540 | −11% | $40,590 | $75,290 | 3,140 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $53,370 | −11% | $43,890 | $73,170 | 1,060 |
| 35 | Idaho | $52,210 | −13% | $40,820 | $74,950 | 1,480 |
| 36 | South Carolina | $52,090 | −13% | $39,060 | $76,850 | 2,650 |
| 37 | Alabama | $51,870 | −14% | $35,100 | $79,950 | 2,770 |
| 38 | North Carolina | $51,680 | −14% | $37,860 | $75,600 | 3,620 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $50,670 | −16% | $35,430 | $75,540 | 3,140 |
| 40 | Missouri | $49,940 | −17% | $38,600 | $64,930 | 3,000 |
| 41 | Texas | $49,460 | −18% | $36,550 | $70,270 | 10,520 |
| 42 | Georgia | $48,930 | −18% | $36,970 | $67,520 | 3,310 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $48,190 | −20% | $36,110 | $80,090 | 2,110 |
| 44 | West Virginia | $47,560 | −21% | $35,360 | $75,240 | 1,100 |
| 45 | Kansas | $46,780 | −22% | $35,870 | $66,800 | 1,560 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $46,480 | −23% | $35,230 | $64,130 | 1,150 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $46,210 | −23% | $31,440 | $63,870 | 2,450 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $45,890 | −24% | $35,250 | $63,040 | 2,280 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $45,430 | −24% | $33,210 | $63,740 | 2,540 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $44,320 | −26% | $31,480 | $61,780 | 2,010 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary questions
Which state pays water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators the most?
California, with a median of $81,770 a year (+36% vs. the national median of $60,020). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators the least?
Arkansas, with a median of $44,320 a year (−26% vs. national).
Where do most water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work?
California has the most jobs, about 11,630, with a median of $81,770.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.