Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Bakersfield, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Bakersfield-Delano, CA

Median annual salary $63,550 +9.1% vs national
Median hourly $30.55
10th percentile $48,520
90th percentile $110,570
Employed locally 440
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
Bakersfield, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,520
    25th
    $55,520
    50th (median)
    $63,550
    75th
    $92,620
    90th
    $110,570

    Bakersfield economic context

    Unemployment rate 8.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,660 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 94% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 6% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $123,390
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,440
    Vallejo, CA $101,670
    Napa, CA $99,450
    Salinas, CA $90,610
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $85,790

    Related occupations in Bakersfield, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $44,600
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $48,280
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $78,630
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $42,800
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $58,720
    Bakers $42,510

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Bakersfield, CA is $30.55, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.43 or more per hour.

    Is Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield, CA is 9.1% 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 Bakersfield?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $48,520 per year in Bakersfield, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $55,520.