Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in California
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in California earn a median annual wage of $81,770 —36.2% above the national median of $60,020. That ranks CA #1 of 50 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.77× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
All 50 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $81,770 | $39.31 | 11,630 | 0.77 |
| 2 | Nevada | $81,440 | $39.15 | — | — |
| 3 | Washington | $80,800 | $38.85 | 2,030 | 0.69 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $78,820 | $37.90 | 980 | 0.70 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $78,760 | $37.87 | 2,500 | 0.71 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $74,670 | $35.90 | 2,290 | 0.94 |
| 7 | Colorado | $74,200 | $35.68 | 2,620 | 1.10 |
| 8 | Oregon | $69,720 | $33.52 | 1,240 | 0.77 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $68,550 | $32.96 | 2,510 | 0.84 |
| 10 | Illinois | $67,810 | $32.60 | 3,500 | 0.69 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,720 | $44,650 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,840 | $74,450 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,300 | $48,570 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,060 | $53,750 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,020 | $43,220 |
| Machinists | $57,190 | $58,750 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in California?
The median annual wage for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in California is $81,770, or $39.31 per hour. That is 36.2% above the national median of $60,020.
What is the entry-level water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $56,030 per year ($26.94/hour). The 25th percentile is $65,250.
How many people work as water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in California?
About 11,630 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.6 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators?
California ranks #1 of 50 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.77x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators the most?
California has the highest median wage at $81,770 per year, followed by Nevada ($81,440) and Washington ($80,800).