Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Appleton, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Appleton, WI

Median annual salary $62,780 +7.8% vs national
Median hourly $30.18
10th percentile $50,810
90th percentile $76,190
Employed locally 90
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
Appleton, WI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,810
    25th
    $61,020
    50th (median)
    $62,780
    75th
    $64,050
    90th
    $76,190

    Appleton economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $83,919 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 75% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 25% 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
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $78,020
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $77,800
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $74,680
    Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI $69,730
    Sheboygan, WI $67,200
    Madison, WI $66,470

    Related occupations in Appleton, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$47,210
    Food Batchmakers$47,280
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$74,820
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$49,830
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$56,640
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$44,170

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Appleton, WI is $30.18, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.83 or more per hour.

    Is Appleton 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 Appleton, WI is 7.8% 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 Appleton?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $50,810 per year in Appleton, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,020.