Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $62,000 +6.4% vs national
Median hourly $29.81
10th percentile $47,030
90th percentile $85,600
Employed locally 60
National median $58,260

Compare Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
Ames, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,030
    25th
    $48,650
    50th (median)
    $62,000
    75th
    $75,550
    90th
    $85,600

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 87% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 13% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $123,390
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,440
    Vallejo, CA $101,670
    Napa, CA $99,450
    Fairbanks-College, AK $91,010
    Salinas, CA $90,610

    Nearby metros — Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $85,000
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $83,260
    California $82,100
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $74,990
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $71,650
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $69,460

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $47,250
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $47,630
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $67,220
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $49,310
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $59,950
    Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $48,150

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Ames, IA is $29.81, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $42.49 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salaries?

    The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Ames, IA is 6.4% above the national median of $58,260. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Ames?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $47,030 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,650.