What are the main factors that influence a Water System Operator's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Water System Operator?

The MFG Durable industry offers the highest average compensation for Water System Operator roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.

How does experience change A Water System Operator's salary?

A Water System Operator's salary grows with experience: a Change Management Analyst I (0-2 years)earns $61,616, a Change Management Analyst II (2-4 years)earns $75,874, a Water System Operator (4-7 years)earns $94,119, a Change Management Analyst IV (7+ years)earns $115,533, a Change Management Analyst V (7-10 years)earns $151,488,

What are the highest paying states for a Water System Operator?

Water System Operator salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Water System Operator roles are District of Columbia $107,375, California $106,968, Massachusetts $105,542. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Water System Operator roles make?

Salaries for Water System Operator level roles vary by specialization: Water Purification Operator: $77,133; Water Plant Operator: $62,841; Water Jet Operator: $61,671; System Operator: $60,579; WATER RECLAMATION OPERATOR: $55,810.

Water System Operator Salary in Maine

How much does a Water System Operator make in Maine?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Water System Operator in Maine is $94,554 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $105,861
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $85,374 to $100,473
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $77,016

10% $77,016

50% (Median) $94,554

90% $105,861

Water System Operator Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$100,473	$8,373	$1,932	$48
Average	$94,554	$7,880	$1,818	$45
25th Percentile	$85,374	$7,115	$1,642	$41

Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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Key Factors That Influence Water System Operator Salaries

A Water System 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.

How Experience Level Affects Water System Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Water System 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): $61,616
Early Career (1-2 years): $75,874
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $94,119
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $115,533
Expert (over 8 years): $151,488

Levels	Salary
Change Ma... Level Water System Operator	$61,616
Change Ma... Level Water System Operator	$75,874
Water Sys... Level Water System Operator	$94,119
Change Ma... Level Water System Operator	$115,533
Change Ma... Level Water System Operator	$151,488

View as Graph

How Do Water System Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Water System Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $107,375.
California: $106,968.
Massachusetts: $105,542.

District of Columbia $107,375 California $106,968 Massachusetts $105,542 Washington $105,154 New Jersey $105,115 Alaska $104,980 Connecticut $103,641 New York $103,098

Hawaii $101,362 Rhode Island $100,548 Maryland $99,995 Minnesota $99,239 Colorado $98,948 Illinois $98,851 Oregon $98,482 Delaware $98,211

New Hampshire $98,040 Virginia $97,658 Pennsylvania $96,542 Nevada $95,980 North Dakota $95,796 Michigan $95,505 Wisconsin $95,398 Vermont $95,185

Texas $94,593 Maine $94,554 Arizona $94,496 Ohio $94,428 Georgia $93,536 Indiana $93,090 Wyoming $93,003 Utah $92,867

Iowa $92,809 Kansas $92,343 Louisiana $92,208 North Carolina $92,159 Missouri $92,140 Florida $91,761 Montana $91,558 Nebraska $91,364

Kentucky $91,257 South Carolina $90,869 Tennessee $90,627 Idaho $90,530 New Mexico $89,822 Oklahoma $89,667 Alabama $89,095 South Dakota $88,134

Arkansas $87,611 West Virginia $87,329 Mississippi $86,486

Top Paying Cities for Water System 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:

Freedom: $93,057
Harmony: $93,016
Hartland: $93,138

Freedom, ME $93,057

Harmony, ME $93,016

Hartland, ME $93,138

Hinckley, ME $93,226

Jackman, ME $92,775

Kingfield, ME $93,303

Liberty, ME $93,228

Madison, ME $93,428

Monroe, ME $92,922

Morrill, ME $93,083

Newport, ME $92,935

New Portland, ME $93,448

New Sharon, ME $93,334

New Vineyard, ME $93,392

Norridgewock, ME $93,394

North Anson, ME $93,449

North Vassalboro, ME $93,617

Oakland, ME $93,425

Oquossoc, ME $93,112

Palmyra, ME $92,994

Phillips, ME $93,150

Pittsfield, ME $93,145

Plymouth, ME $92,947

Rangeley, ME $93,172

Portland, ME $97,619

Falmouth, ME $97,398

South Portland, ME $97,619

Cape Elizabeth, ME $97,425

Peaks Island, ME $97,519

Cumberland Foreside, ME $97,302

Auburn, ME $95,553

Andover, ME $93,146

Bethel, ME $93,303

Bryant Pond, ME $93,651

Buckfield, ME $94,069

Canton, ME $93,479

Durham, ME $96,157

Danville, ME $95,841

Dixfield, ME $93,285

Dryden, ME $93,393

East Andover, ME $93,174

East Dixfield, ME $93,436

East Livermore, ME $93,988

East Poland, ME $95,667

Stoneham, ME $93,693

East Wilton, ME $93,611

Greene, ME $94,821

Hanover, ME $93,224

Hebron, ME $94,735

Jay, ME $93,456

Lewiston, ME $95,502

Lisbon, ME $95,804

Lisbon Falls, ME $95,657

Livermore, ME $93,834

Livermore Falls, ME $93,773

Greenwood, ME $93,775

Mechanic Falls, ME $95,382

Mexico, ME $93,376

Minot, ME $95,027

Monmouth, ME $94,520

New Gloucester, ME $96,221

Newry, ME $93,050

North Jay, ME $93,410

Leeds, ME $94,291

North Monmouth, ME $94,381

North Turner, ME $94,225

North Waterford, ME $94,128

Norway, ME $94,429

Oxford, ME $94,936

Paris, ME $94,616

Poland, ME $95,682

Roxbury, ME $93,082

Rumford, ME $93,322

Sabattus, ME $95,084

South Paris, ME $94,487

Turner, ME $94,489

Wayne, ME $94,060

Weld, ME $93,151

West Bethel, ME $93,229

Bowdoin, ME $95,071

West Minot, ME $94,890

West Paris, ME $94,110

Peru, ME $93,516

West Poland, ME $95,610

Sumner, ME $93,811

Wilton, ME $93,396

Augusta, ME $93,657

Coopers Mills, ME $93,784

Dresden, ME $94,555

East Winthrop, ME $93,948

Farmingdale, ME $94,207

Gardiner, ME $94,378

Randolph, ME $94,207

Hallowell, ME $94,089

Jefferson, ME $93,462

Kents Hill, ME $93,654

Litchfield, ME $94,657

Manchester, ME $93,839

Mount Vernon, ME $93,429

Whitefield, ME $93,838

Palermo, ME $93,307

Sebasco Estates, ME $96,065

Readfield, ME $93,813

Saint Albans, ME $93,066

South Bristol, ME $94,624

Squirrel Island, ME $94,938

Trevett, ME $95,005

Waldoboro, ME $93,444

Walpole, ME $94,473

Washington, ME $93,210

West Boothbay Harbor, ME $95,107

Southport, ME $95,319

Wiscasset, ME $94,838

Woolwich, ME $95,063

Ellsworth, ME $92,831

Addison, ME $92,718

Gouldsboro, ME $92,800

Bar Harbor, ME $92,976

Beals, ME $92,821

Bernard, ME $93,008

Birch Harbor, ME $92,889

Blue Hill, ME $92,930

Brooklin, ME $92,932

Brooksville, ME $92,930

Calais, ME $92,684

Cherryfield, ME $92,578

Columbia Falls, ME $92,573

Corea, ME $92,805

Cranberry Isles, ME $92,825

Cutler, ME $92,580

Deer Isle, ME $93,017

Dennysville, ME $92,493

East Blue Hill, ME $92,934

East Machias, ME $92,580

Eastport, ME $92,854

Franklin, ME $92,811

Frenchboro, ME $92,774

Grand Lake Stream, ME $92,436

Hancock, ME $92,948

Harborside, ME $92,914

Harrington, ME $92,780

Hulls Cove, ME $92,978

Isle Au Haut, ME $92,774

Islesford, ME $92,967

Jonesboro, ME $92,656

Jonesport, ME $92,740

Little Deer Isle, ME $93,006

Lubec, ME $92,626

Bass Harbor, ME $93,010

Machias, ME $92,673

Machiasport, ME $92,718

Meddybemps, ME $92,435

Milbridge, ME $92,817

Mount Desert, ME $92,906

Northeast Harbor, ME $92,967

Sullivan, ME $92,823

Pembroke, ME $92,579

Perry, ME $92,663

Princeton, ME $92,431

Prospect Harbor, ME $92,899

Robbinston, ME $92,560

Salsbury Cove, ME $92,988

Sargentville, ME $92,957

Seal Cove, ME $92,910

Seal Harbor, ME $92,941

Sedgwick, ME $92,947

Sorrento, ME $92,910

Southwest Harbor, ME $92,991

Steuben, ME $92,765

Stonington, ME $93,026

Sunset, ME $92,705

Surry, ME $92,929

Swans Island, ME $92,846

Wesley, ME $92,315

Whiting, ME $92,554

Winter Harbor, ME $92,819

Baileyville, ME $92,526

Houlton, ME $92,333

Ashland, ME $92,199

Benedicta, ME $91,995

Blaine, ME $92,309

Bridgewater, ME $92,091

Caribou, ME $92,499

Clayton Lake, ME $92,332

Crouseville, ME $92,392

Eagle Lake, ME $92,303

Easton, ME $92,405

Estcourt Station, ME $92,369

Fort Fairfield, ME $92,453

Fort Kent, ME $92,494

Fort Kent Mills, ME $92,415

Frenchville, ME $92,520

Grand Isle, ME $92,393

Island Falls, ME $92,005

Limestone, ME $92,427

Madawaska, ME $92,674

Mapleton, ME $92,281

Richmond, ME $94,710

South China, ME $93,401

South Gardiner, ME $94,492

Vienna, ME $93,260

Windsor, ME $93,349

Winthrop, ME $94,213

Bangor, ME $92,896

Abbot, ME $92,913

Aurora, ME $92,407

Bradford, ME $92,853

Bradley, ME $92,856

Brewer, ME $92,891

Brookton, ME $92,095

Brownville, ME $92,587

Brownville Junction, ME $93,158

Bucksport, ME $92,884

Burlington, ME $92,553

Greenbush, ME $92,766

Carmel, ME $92,899

Castine, ME $93,092

Charleston, ME $92,871

Danforth, ME $92,248

Dover Foxcroft, ME $92,924

Corinth, ME $92,887

Eddington, ME $92,866

Holden, ME $92,874

East Millinocket, ME $92,486

East Orland, ME $92,875

Etna, ME $92,919

Exeter, ME $92,904

Frankfort, ME $92,901

Greenville, ME $92,366

Greenville Junction, ME $92,668

Guilford, ME $92,887

Hampden, ME $92,897

Howland, ME $92,676

Hudson, ME $92,881

Kenduskeag, ME $92,890

Kingman, ME $92,151

Lagrange, ME $92,785

Lambert Lake, ME $92,260

Lee, ME $92,531

Levant, ME $92,895

Lincoln, ME $92,525

Mattawamkeag, ME $92,223

Medway, ME $92,247

Milford, ME $92,842

Millinocket, ME $92,109

Milo, ME $92,761

Monson, ME $92,903

Olamon, ME $92,792

Old Town, ME $92,856

Orono, ME $92,882

Orient, ME $92,159

Orland, ME $92,876

Orrington, ME $92,886

Passadumkeag, ME $92,739

Penobscot, ME $92,878

Rockwood, ME $92,508

Sangerville, ME $92,968

Sebec, ME $92,819

Shirley Mills, ME $92,846

Springfield, ME $92,289

Stetson, ME $92,910

Stillwater, ME $92,884

Topsfield, ME $92,174

Vanceboro, ME $92,253

Waite, ME $92,301

West Enfield, ME $92,717

Winn, ME $92,347

Winterport, ME $92,897

Wytopitlock, ME $92,021

Bath, ME $95,721

Alna, ME $94,197

Boothbay, ME $94,837

Boothbay Harbor, ME $95,051

Bristol, ME $94,263

Chamberlain, ME $94,424

Damariscotta, ME $94,204

East Boothbay, ME $94,905

Friendship, ME $93,658

Georgetown, ME $95,600

Isle Of Springs, ME $94,840

Bremen, ME $94,003

Newcastle, ME $94,243

New Harbor, ME $94,574

Nobleboro, ME $93,869

Edgecomb, ME $94,563

Pemaquid, ME $94,482

Phippsburg, ME $95,985

Cushing, ME $93,352

Round Pond, ME $94,246

Sandy Point, ME $92,894

Searsmont, ME $93,115

Searsport, ME $92,910

Shawmut, ME $93,514

Skowhegan, ME $93,309

Smithfield, ME $93,359

Solon, ME $93,309

Stockton Springs, ME $92,894

Stratton, ME $93,232

Strong, ME $93,312

Temple, ME $93,276

West Forks, ME $92,738

Thorndike, ME $92,990

Troy, ME $92,963

Unity, ME $93,079

Vassalboro, ME $93,365

West Farmington, ME $93,637

Berwick, ME $99,240

Cape Neddick, ME $99,997

Eliot, ME $101,322

Kittery, ME $101,615

Kittery Point, ME $100,851

North Berwick, ME $98,475

Ogunquit, ME $99,369

South Berwick, ME $100,240

York, ME $100,812

York Beach, ME $100,330

York Harbor, ME $100,839

Acton, ME $95,665

Alfred, ME $97,021

Bailey Island, ME $96,624

Bar Mills, ME $96,865

Biddeford, ME $96,897

Biddeford Pool, ME $96,898

Bowdoinham, ME $95,004

Bridgton, ME $94,842

Brownfield, ME $94,759

Brunswick, ME $96,126

Bustins Island, ME $96,805

Cape Porpoise, ME $97,332

Casco, ME $95,970

Center Lovell, ME $94,142

Chebeague Island, ME $97,018

Cliff Island, ME $97,229

Cornish, ME $95,851

Cumberland Center, ME $97,119

Denmark, ME $94,745

East Baldwin, ME $96,095

Lebanon, ME $97,696

East Parsonsfield, ME $95,346

Sebago, ME $95,850

East Waterboro, ME $96,580

Freeport, ME $96,629

Fryeburg, ME $94,269

Gorham, ME $97,033

Gray, ME $96,443

Harrison, ME $94,323

Hiram, ME $95,553

Hollis Center, ME $96,701

Kennebunk, ME $97,405

Kennebunkport, ME $97,036

Parsonsfield, ME $95,343

Limerick, ME $96,226

Limington, ME $96,201

Long Island, ME $97,394

Lovell, ME $94,007

Moody, ME $98,601

Naples, ME $95,572

Newfield, ME $96,069

North Bridgton, ME $94,891

North Waterboro, ME $96,412

Windham, ME $96,936

Ocean Park, ME $96,973

Old Orchard Beach, ME $97,038

Orrs Island, ME $96,542

Porter, ME $95,022

Pownal, ME $96,478

Scarborough, ME $97,365

Raymond, ME $96,274

Saco, ME $96,979

Sanford, ME $97,473

Sebago Lake, ME $96,200

Shapleigh, ME $96,569

South Casco, ME $96,330

South Freeport, ME $96,580

Harpswell, ME $96,523

South Windham, ME $97,117

Springvale, ME $96,905

Standish, ME $96,603

Steep Falls, ME $96,395

Topsham, ME $95,797

Waterboro, ME $96,760

Waterford, ME $94,220

Wells, ME $98,410

West Baldwin, ME $95,925

Westbrook, ME $97,391

Buxton, ME $96,871

West Kennebunk, ME $97,354

West Newfield, ME $95,598

Yarmouth, ME $97,028

North Yarmouth, ME $96,826

Mars Hill, ME $92,401

Monticello, ME $92,214

New Limerick, ME $92,274

New Sweden, ME $92,399

Oakfield, ME $92,178

Oxbow, ME $91,803

Patten, ME $91,862

Perham, ME $92,335

Portage, ME $92,286

Presque Isle, ME $92,522

Saint Agatha, ME $92,476

Saint David, ME $92,457

Saint Francis, ME $92,333

Sheridan, ME $92,224

Sherman, ME $92,086

Stacyville, ME $91,972

Sinclair, ME $92,304

Smyrna Mills, ME $92,028

Wallagrass, ME $92,406

Stockholm, ME $92,317

Van Buren, ME $92,432

Washburn, ME $92,396

Westfield, ME $92,269

Rockland, ME $93,300

Camden, ME $93,292

Glen Cove, ME $93,261

Hope, ME $93,257

Islesboro, ME $93,017

Lincolnville, ME $93,094

Lincolnville Center, ME $93,097

Matinicus, ME $92,940

Monhegan, ME $93,932

North Haven, ME $93,004

Owls Head, ME $93,130

Port Clyde, ME $93,652

Rockport, ME $93,269

South Thomaston, ME $93,132

Spruce Head, ME $93,186

Tenants Harbor, ME $93,457

Thomaston, ME $93,199

Union, ME $93,252

Vinalhaven, ME $93,004

Warren, ME $93,154

West Rockport, ME $93,280

Waterville, ME $93,486

Albion, ME $93,337

Anson, ME $93,401

Athens, ME $93,141

Belfast, ME $93,095

Belgrade, ME $93,308

Belgrade Lakes, ME $93,212

Bingham, ME $93,133

Brooks, ME $92,942

Burnham, ME $93,034

Cambridge, ME $93,013

Canaan, ME $93,168

Caratunk, ME $92,956

China Village, ME $93,592

Clinton, ME $93,199

Corinna, ME $92,942

Detroit, ME $92,973

Dexter, ME $93,065

Dixmont, ME $92,929

East Newport, ME $92,939

East Vassalboro, ME $93,421

Eustis, ME $92,855

Fairfield, ME $93,357

Farmington, ME $93,432

Garland, ME $92,893

Farmington Falls, ME $93,584

Water System Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Water System Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Durable and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Water System Operator positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Insurance typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Water System Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Water System Operator

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
MFG Durable	$127,648	$61.0	35%
Energy & Utilities	$122,921	$59.0	30%
Biotechnology	$118,193	$57.0	25%
Pharmaceuticals	$108,738	$52.0	15%
Construction	$104,010	$50.0	10%

Water System Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Water System 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.

$85,374

Average $94,554/year

$100,473

$7,115

Average $7,880/month

$8,373

$1,642

Average $1,818/week

$1,932

$41

Average $45/hour

$48

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$100,473	$8,373	$1,932	$48
Average	$94,554	$7,880	$1,818	$45
25th Percentile	$85,374	$7,115	$1,642	$41

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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Water System Operator Salary in Maine

How much does a Water System Operator make in Maine?

Key Factors That Influence Water System Operator Salaries

How Experience Level Affects Water System Operator Salaries?

How Do Water System Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Top Paying Cities for Water System Operators

Water System Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

The top paying industries for a Water System Operator

Water System Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Find Your Next Water System Operator Job

For Employees

For Employers

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Water System Operator Salary in Maine

How much does a Water System Operator make in Maine?

Key Factors That Influence Water System Operator Salaries

How Experience Level Affects Water System Operator Salaries?

How Do Water System Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Top Paying Cities for Water System Operators

Water System Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

The top paying industries for a Water System Operator

Water System Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Salaries of Jobs related to Water System Operator

Find Your Next Water System Operator Job

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