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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Wastewater Operator in Massachusetts is $58,678 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.
However, a Wastewater Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Wastewater Operator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $66,526 | $5,544 | $1,279 | $32 |
| Average | $58,678 | $4,890 | $1,128 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,232 | $4,353 | $1,004 | $25 |
Weston & Sampson Engineers Inc - Wilmington, MA
Weston & Sampson Engineers Inc - South Yarmouth, MA
Dav-Tech Plating Inc. - Marlborough, MA
Weston & Sampson - Wilmington, MA
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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Waste Wat... Level Wastewater Operator | $51,812 |
| Wastewate... Level Wastewater Operator | $58,101 |
| Waste Wat... Level Wastewater Operator | $65,493 |
| Waste Wat... Level Wastewater Operator | $100,294 |
| Waste Wat... Level Wastewater Operator | $114,438 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Wastewater Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| MFG Nondurable | $73,347 | $35.0 | 25% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $70,414 | $34.0 | 20% |
| MFG Durable | $67,480 | $32.0 | 15% |
| Biotechnology | $64,546 | $31.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $61,612 | $30.0 | 5% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $66,526 | $5,544 | $1,279 | $32 |
| Average | $58,678 | $4,890 | $1,128 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,232 | $4,353 | $1,004 | $25 |
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.
Woodard & Curran
Plymouth, MA
Woodard & Curran | Plymouth, MA
Job Opportunity at Woodard & Curran. Woodard & Curran is an employee-owned engineering, science, and operations firm dedicated to clean water, a safe envir... more
10 Days Ago
Weston & Sampson
Mashpee, MA
Weston & Sampson | Mashpee, MA
Wastewater Treatment Operator. Weston & Sampson Services is currently looking for a Wastewater Treatment Operator to support operations and maintenance in ... more
11 Days Ago
Veolia | France
Lynn, MA
Veolia | France | Lynn, MA
Job Title. Provides day-to-day monitoring/operation of equipment, routine lab tests, and minor maintenance activities. Coordinates and monitors operational... more
8 Days Ago
Atlanta Cheesecake Co.
Newburyport, MA
Atlanta Cheesecake Co. | Newburyport, MA
1st Shift Wastewater Treatment OperatorDessert Holdings (Dianne's Fine Desserts)Location: Newburyport, MAPosition Type: Full-TimeReports To: Wastewater Pla... more
9 Days Ago
Conflux Systems
Northampton, MA
Conflux Systems | Northampton, MA
Wastewater Treatment Operator. Seeking an experienced Wastewater Treatment Operator to manage industrial and anaerobic wastewater systems. This role involv... more
9 Days Ago
Inframark
Hull, MA
Inframark | Hull, MA
Join Inframark: Leading the Way in Water Management. Inframark's Operations and Maintenance team is an award-winning team that delivers cutting-edge water,... more
9 Days Ago
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