Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Bellingham, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Bellingham, WA

Median annual salary $78,690 +35.1% vs national
Median hourly $37.83
10th percentile $62,240
90th percentile $98,850
Employed locally 100
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
Bellingham, WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,240
    25th
    $68,010
    50th (median)
    $78,690
    75th
    $87,560
    90th
    $98,850

    Bellingham economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,989 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 97% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 3% 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
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $88,440
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $85,790
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $85,000
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $82,830
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $81,730
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,640

    Related occupations in Bellingham, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $46,560
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $74,610
    Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers $96,850
    Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers $37,160
    Food Batchmakers $43,980
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $40,030

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Bellingham, WA is $37.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.70 or more per hour.

    Is Bellingham 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 Bellingham, WA is 35.1% 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 Bellingham?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $62,240 per year in Bellingham, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $68,010.