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 $57,028 for beginners, reaching about $59,184 at mid-level, and approach $63,291 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 Hawaii

How much does a Wastewater Plant Operator make in Hawaii?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Wastewater Plant Operator in Hawaii is $58,694 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $72,634
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $51,637 to $65,991
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,212

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Wastewater Plant Operator Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$65,991	$5,499	$1,269	$32
Average	$58,694	$4,891	$1,129	$28
25th Percentile	$51,637	$4,303	$993	$25

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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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): $57,028
Early Career (1-2 years): $57,224
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $59,184
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $62,118
Expert (over 8 years): $63,291

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Wastewater Plant Operator	$57,028
Intermediate Level Wastewater Plant Operator	$57,224
Senior Level Wastewater Plant Operator	$59,184
Specialist Level Wastewater Plant Operator	$62,118
Expert Level Wastewater Plant Operator	$63,291

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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:

Aiea: $58,396
Anahola: $58,003
Captain Cook: $58,003

Aiea, HI $58,396 Anahola, HI $58,003 Captain Cook, HI $58,003 Eleele, HI $58,003 Ewa Beach, HI $58,396 Kapolei, HI $58,267 Haiku, HI $58,003 Hakalau, HI $58,003

Haleiwa, HI $58,003 Hana, HI $58,003 Hanalei, HI $58,003 Hanamaulu, HI $58,003 Hanapepe, HI $58,003 Hauula, HI $58,132 Hawaii National Park, HI $58,003 Hawi, HI $58,003

Hilo, HI $58,003 Princeville, HI $58,003 Holualoa, HI $58,003 Honaunau, HI $58,003 Honokaa, HI $58,003 Honomu, HI $58,003 Hoolehua, HI $58,003 Kaaawa, HI $58,239

Kahuku, HI $58,003 Kahului, HI $58,003 Kailua, HI $58,396 Ocean View, HI $58,003 Waikoloa, HI $58,003 Keauhou, HI $58,003 Kailua Kona, HI $58,003 Kalaheo, HI $58,003

Kalaupapa, HI $58,003 Kamuela, HI $58,003 Kaneohe, HI $58,396 Kapaa, HI $58,003 Kaumakani, HI $58,003 Kaunakakai, HI $58,003 Keaau, HI $58,003 Kealakekua, HI $58,003

Kealia, HI $58,003 Kekaha, HI $58,003 Kihei, HI $58,003 Kilauea, HI $58,003 Kapaau, HI $58,003 Koloa, HI $58,003 Kualapuu, HI $58,003 Kunia, HI $58,211

Kurtistown, HI $58,003 Lahaina, HI $58,003 Laie, HI $58,054 Lanai City, HI $58,003 Laupahoehoe, HI $58,003 Lawai, HI $58,003 Lihue, HI $58,003 Makawao, HI $58,003

Makaweli, HI $58,003 Maunaloa, HI $58,003 Mountain View, HI $58,003 Naalehu, HI $58,003 Ninole, HI $58,003 Ookala, HI $58,003 Paauilo, HI $58,003 Pahala, HI $58,003

Pahoa, HI $58,003 Paia, HI $58,003 Papaaloa, HI $58,003 Papaikou, HI $58,003 Pearl City, HI $58,396 Pepeekeo, HI $58,003 Puunene, HI $58,003 Volcano, HI $58,003

Wahiawa, HI $58,211 Pukalani, HI $58,003 Mililani, HI $58,290 Kula, HI $58,003 Waialua, HI $58,003 Waianae, HI $58,054 Wailuku, HI $58,003 Waimanalo, HI $58,396

Waimea, HI $58,003 Waipahu, HI $58,368 Honolulu, HI $58,396 J B P H H, HI $58,396 Wheeler Army Airfield, HI $58,239 Schofield Barracks, HI $58,189 Fort Shafter, HI $58,396 Tripler Army Medical Center, HI $58,396

Camp H M Smith, HI $58,396 M C B H Kaneohe Bay, HI $58,368 Wake Island, HI $58,396

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

$51,637

Average $58,694/year

$65,991

$4,303

Average $4,891/month

$5,499

$993

Average $1,129/week

$1,269

$25

Average $28/hour

$32

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$65,991	$5,499	$1,269	$32
Average	$58,694	$4,891	$1,129	$28
25th Percentile	$51,637	$4,303	$993	$25

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