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

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

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

Certified Water Operator salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Certified Water Operator roles are District of Columbia $53,710, California $53,506, Massachusetts $52,793. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

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

Salaries for Certified Water Operator level roles vary by specialization: Water System Operator: $97,015; Water Systems Operator: $94,927; Waste Water Plant Operator: $91,472; Water Plant Operator: $62,816; Water Jet Operator: $61,624.

Certified Water Operator Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Certified Water Operator make in District of Columbia?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Water Operator in District of Columbia is $53,710 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $66,790
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,766 to $60,556
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,087

Compensation Planning

Develop a Job Description

Pay Equity

2026 Compensation Trend

AI Onboarding

AI-Powered HR

Salary Salary + Bonus Benefits

View as table

Certified Water Operator Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$60,556	$5,046	$1,165	$29
Average	$53,710	$4,476	$1,033	$26
25th Percentile	$50,766	$4,231	$976	$24

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

Change Search Criteria

Check out Certified Water Operator Job Openings in District of Columbia

Certified Massage Therapist

Oasis Day Spa by Back to Basics - DANVILLE, KY

CNA

Yoakum Nursing and Rehabilitation Center - YOAKUM, TX

Certified Prothetist Orthotist

Synergy Medical Systems - EUGENE, OR

Excavator Operator

Midlands Contracting - KEARNEY, NE

Search More Certified Water Operator Jobs in District of Columbia

Key Factors That Influence Certified Water Operator Salaries

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

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

District of Columbia: $53,710.
California: $53,506.
Massachusetts: $52,793.

District of Columbia $53,710 California $53,506 Massachusetts $52,793 Washington $52,599 New Jersey $52,579 Alaska $52,512 Connecticut $51,842 New York $51,570

Hawaii $50,702 Rhode Island $50,295 Maryland $50,018 Minnesota $49,640 Colorado $49,494 Illinois $49,446 Oregon $49,261 Delaware $49,126

New Hampshire $49,040 Virginia $48,849 Pennsylvania $48,291 Nevada $48,010 North Dakota $47,918 Michigan $47,772 Wisconsin $47,719 Vermont $47,612

Texas $47,316 Maine $47,297 Arizona $47,268 Ohio $47,234 Georgia $46,787 Indiana $46,564 Wyoming $46,521 Utah $46,453

Iowa $46,424 Kansas $46,191 Louisiana $46,123 North Carolina $46,099 Missouri $46,089 Florida $45,900 Montana $45,798 Nebraska $45,701

Kentucky $45,647 South Carolina $45,453 Tennessee $45,332 Idaho $45,284 New Mexico $44,929 Oklahoma $44,852 Alabama $44,566 South Dakota $44,085

Arkansas $43,823 West Virginia $43,683 Mississippi $43,261

Top Paying Cities for Certified Water 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:

Parcel Return Service: $53,418
Washington: $53,419
Naval Anacost Annex: $53,416

Parcel Return Service, DC $53,418 Washington, DC $53,419 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $53,416 Washington Navy Yard, DC $53,418

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

Understanding how a Certified Water 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 July 01, 2026

$50,766

Average $53,710/year

$60,556

$4,231

Average $4,476/month

$5,046

$976

Average $1,033/week

$1,165

$24

Average $26/hour

$29

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$60,556	$5,046	$1,165	$29
Average	$53,710	$4,476	$1,033	$26
25th Percentile	$50,766	$4,231	$976	$24

Salaries of jobs related to Certified Water Operator

Find Your Next Certified Water Operator Job

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

For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Cost of Living In District of Columbia

Cost of Living in District of Columbia is

10.7% Higher

than the National Average

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.

Explore Cost of Living Calculator

Empower Your Team

Salary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.

Find Salary.com Comp Consulting

See Salary Trends in 2025

Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.

Price Your Company Jobs and Make Pay Fair

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
Job and employee pricing reports
Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.

Learn about