Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators · Maryland

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Maryland

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Maryland earn a median annual wage of $61,870 —3.1% above the national median of $60,020. That ranks MD #19 of 50 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$61,870
Median hourly
$29.75
Entry level (P10)
$44,990
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$88,970
90th percentile
Employment
1,770
0.6 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
+3.1%
U.S. $60,020

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$44,990
$49,820
$61,870
$76,850
$44,990$61,870$88,970
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $61,870.

Employment is only 0.77× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Maryland.

Highest-paying states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators

All 50 states ranked by median annual wage. Maryland is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1California$81,770$39.3111,6300.77
2Nevada$81,440$39.15——
3Washington$80,800$38.852,0300.69
4Connecticut$78,820$37.909800.70
5New Jersey$78,760$37.872,5000.71
6Minnesota$74,670$35.902,2900.94
7Colorado$74,200$35.682,6201.10
8Oregon$69,720$33.521,2400.77
9Massachusetts$68,550$32.962,5100.84
10Illinois$67,810$32.603,5000.69

Related occupations in Maryland

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Maryland.

Frequently asked questions

How much do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Maryland?

The median annual wage for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Maryland is $61,870, or $29.75 per hour. That is 3.1% above the national median of $60,020.

What is the entry-level water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators salary in Maryland?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $44,990 per year ($21.63/hour). The 25th percentile is $49,820.

How many people work as water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Maryland?

About 1,770 people work in this occupation in Maryland, or 0.6 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is Maryland a good state for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators?

Maryland ranks #19 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 Maryland.

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).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes