Wastewater Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a Wastewater Operator make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Wastewater Operator in the United States is $53,917 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.

However, a Wastewater Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $67,694
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $47,994 to $61,128
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $42,602
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View as table View as graph 25% $47,994 10% $42,602 90% $67,694 75% $61,128 $53,917 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Wastewater Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $61,128 $5,094 $1,176 $29
Average $53,917 $4,493 $1,037 $26
25th Percentile $47,994 $4,000 $923 $23
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Alto Health Care Staffing - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Wastewater Operator Salaries

A Wastewater Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Wastewater Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Wastewater Operator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $47,609
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $53,387
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $60,179
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $92,157
  • Expert (over 8 years): $105,153
Levels Salary
Waste Wat... Level Wastewater Operator$47,609
Wastewate... Level Wastewater Operator$53,387
Waste Wat... Level Wastewater Operator$60,179
Waste Wat... Level Wastewater Operator$92,157
Waste Wat... Level Wastewater Operator$105,153
$47,609 0 yr
$53,387 < 2 yrs
$60,179 2-4 yrs
$92,157 5-8 yrs
$105,153 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Wastewater Operators

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $68,006
  • San Francisco: $67,261
  • Oakland: $65,844

What Skills Can Increase a Wastewater Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 10.3% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Plumbing (Mentioned in 3.58% Job Postings): Plumbing is any system that conveys fluids for a wide range of applications. Plumbing uses pipes, valves, plumbing fixtures, tanks, and other apparatuses to convey fluids. Heating and cooling (HVAC), waste removal, and potable water delivery are among the most common uses for plumbing, but it is not limited to these applications. The word derives from the Latin for lead, plumbum, as the first effective pipes used in the Roman era were lead pipes. In the developed world, plumbing infrastructure is critical to public health and sanitation. Boilermakers and pipefitters are not plumbers although they work with piping as part of their trade and their work can include some plumbing.
  • Material Handling (Mentioned in 2.38% Job Postings): Material handling involves short-distance movement within the confines of a building or between a building and a transportation vehicle. It uses a wide range of manual, semi-automated, and automated equipment and includes consideration of the protection, storage, and control of materials throughout their manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, consumption, and disposal. Material handling can be used to create time and place utility through the handling, storage, and control of material, as distinct from manufacturing, which creates form utility by changing the shape, form, and makeup of material.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 10.3%
Plumbing 3.58%
Material Handling 2.38%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Wastewater Operator's salary.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management
$65,779
22%
Consulting
$65,240
21%
Leadership
$58,770
9%
Organizational Skills
$58,770
9%
Verbal Communication
$57,691
7%
Coordination
$57,691
7%
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Wastewater Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Wastewater Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Nondurable and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Wastewater Operator positions in Retail & Wholesale or Aerospace & Defense typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Wastewater Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Wastewater Operator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Nondurable$67,396$32.025%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$64,701$31.020%
MFG Durable$62,005$30.015%
Biotechnology$59,309$29.010%
Energy & Utilities$56,613$27.05%

How Education impacts a Wastewater Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Wastewater Operators enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Wastewater Operator with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $53,721 and $58,696).

Wastewater Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Wastewater Operator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 66.7%
High School 66.7%
Associates 33.3%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Wastewater Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Wastewater Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Wastewater Operator

Salaries for a Wastewater Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $44,006 in 2023 to around $44,205 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Wastewater Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Wastewater Operator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$44,006
2024
$44,284
2025
$44,205
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $44,006
2024 $44,284
2025 $44,205
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Wastewater Operator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Wastewater Operator

Here are companies hiring for Wastewater Operator and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Wastewater Operator Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Wastewater Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • XPO

    Columbus, OH

    CDL

    XPO | Columbus, OH

    XPO is Hiring Driver Teams. XPO Teams. As an XPO Team, you’ll run dedicated routes between XPO facilities in. new sleeper. trucks equipped with microwaves ... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Summit Recruiting Group

    Columbus, OH

    Summit Recruiting Group | Columbus, OH

    NP/PA Dermatology job opening in Columbus, OHPosition Details. Full-time, permanent opening. Experience required. Well-Established Practice. Seeking a NP/P... more

    6 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    7 Days Ago

  • The Curare Group, Inc

    Columbus, OH

    The Curare Group, Inc | Columbus, OH

    Hospital is seeking a Board Certified/Board Eligible Pediatrician to join a well-respected and growing practice located an hour from Columbus. Only Pediatr... more

    7 Days Ago

  • OhioHealth

    Columbus, OH

    OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    Join an award winning, physician-led health system that prides itself on an inclusive, collegial and innovative culture. As an Anesthesiologist at OhioHeal... more

    7 Days Ago

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FAQ about Wastewater Operator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Wastewater Operator?

The MFG Nondurable industry offers the highest average compensation for Wastewater Operator roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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