What are the main factors that influence a Wastewater Plant Operator's salary?

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

How does experience change a Wastewater Plant Operator's salary?

A Wastewater Plant Operator's salary grows with experience: starting around $55,255 for beginners, reaching about $57,344 at mid-level, and approach $61,323 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Wastewater Plant Operator?

Wastewater Plant Operator salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Wastewater Plant Operator roles are District of Columbia $62,176, California $61,940, Massachusetts $61,114. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Wastewater Plant Operator roles make?

Salaries for Wastewater Plant Operator level roles vary by specialization: Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent: $110,686; Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager: $108,991; Wastewater Operations Plant Manager: $108,400; Wastewater Plant Manager: $108,057; Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor: $106,606.

Wastewater Plant Operator Salary in Delaware

How much does a Wastewater Plant Operator make in Delaware?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Wastewater Plant Operator in Delaware is $56,869 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $70,375
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,031 to $63,939
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $43,806

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Wastewater Plant Operator Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$63,939	$5,328	$1,230	$31
Average	$56,869	$4,739	$1,094	$27
25th Percentile	$50,031	$4,169	$962	$24

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Wastewater Plant Operator

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Allen Harim Foods - Harbeson, DE

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Key Factors That Influence Wastewater Plant Operator Salaries

A Wastewater Plant 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 Wastewater Plant Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Wastewater Plant 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): $55,255
Early Career (1-2 years): $55,444
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $57,344
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $60,186
Expert (over 8 years): $61,323

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Wastewater Plant Operator	$55,255
Intermediate Level Wastewater Plant Operator	$55,444
Senior Level Wastewater Plant Operator	$57,344
Specialist Level Wastewater Plant Operator	$60,186
Expert Level Wastewater Plant Operator	$61,323

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What Am I Worth?

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

District of Columbia: $62,176.
California: $61,940.
Massachusetts: $61,114.

District of Columbia $62,176 California $61,940 Massachusetts $61,114 Washington $60,890 New Jersey $60,867 Alaska $60,789 Connecticut $60,014 New York $59,699

Hawaii $58,694 Rhode Island $58,222 Maryland $57,902 Minnesota $57,464 Colorado $57,296 Illinois $57,240 Oregon $57,026 Delaware $56,869

New Hampshire $56,770 Virginia $56,549 Pennsylvania $55,903 Nevada $55,577 North Dakota $55,471 Michigan $55,302 Wisconsin $55,240 Vermont $55,117

Texas $54,774 Maine $54,752 Arizona $54,718 Ohio $54,679 Georgia $54,162 Indiana $53,904 Wyoming $53,853 Utah $53,775

Iowa $53,741 Kansas $53,471 Louisiana $53,393 North Carolina $53,365 Missouri $53,354 Florida $53,135 Montana $53,017 Nebraska $52,904

Kentucky $52,843 South Carolina $52,618 Tennessee $52,478 Idaho $52,421 New Mexico $52,011 Oklahoma $51,922 Alabama $51,590 South Dakota $51,034

Arkansas $50,731 West Virginia $50,568 Mississippi $50,080

Top Paying Cities for Wastewater Plant 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:

Lincoln: $58,857
Little Creek: $58,312
Magnolia: $58,554

Lincoln, DE $58,857 Little Creek, DE $58,312 Magnolia, DE $58,554 Milford, DE $58,857 Marydel, DE $58,093 Millsboro, DE $58,857 Millville, DE $59,250 Milton, DE $58,857

Nassau, DE $58,857 Ocean View, DE $59,250 Rehoboth Beach, DE $59,250 Seaford, DE $58,239 Selbyville, DE $59,250 Smyrna, DE $58,026 Viola, DE $58,554 Woodside, DE $58,385

Bear, DE $57,599 Newark, DE $57,621 Claymont, DE $57,666 Delaware City, DE $57,621 Hockessin, DE $57,666 Kirkwood, DE $57,621 Middletown, DE $57,908 Montchanin, DE $57,666

New Castle, DE $57,666 Odessa, DE $57,986 Port Penn, DE $57,464 Rockland, DE $57,666 Saint Georges, DE $57,621 Townsend, DE $57,902 Winterthur, DE $57,666 Lewes, DE $58,857

Wilmington, DE $57,666 Dover, DE $58,284 Dover Afb, DE $58,419 Bethany Beach, DE $59,250 Bethel, DE $58,239 Bridgeville, DE $58,857 Camden Wyoming, DE $58,346 Cheswold, DE $58,149

Clayton, DE $58,003 Dagsboro, DE $59,250 Delmar, DE $58,239 Ellendale, DE $58,857 Felton, DE $58,857 Fenwick Island, DE $59,250 Frankford, DE $59,250 Frederica, DE $58,857

Georgetown, DE $58,857 Greenwood, DE $58,857 Harbeson, DE $58,857 Harrington, DE $58,857 Hartly, DE $57,975 Houston, DE $58,857 Kenton, DE $58,003 Laurel, DE $58,239

Yorklyn, DE $57,666

Wastewater Plant Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Wastewater Plant 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 January 01, 2026

$50,031

Average $56,869/year

$63,939

$4,169

Average $4,739/month

$5,328

$962

Average $1,094/week

$1,230

$24

Average $27/hour

$31

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$63,939	$5,328	$1,230	$31
Average	$56,869	$4,739	$1,094	$27
25th Percentile	$50,031	$4,169	$962	$24

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