Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Charlottesville, VA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charlottesville, VA

Median annual salary $59,000 +1.3% vs national
Median hourly $28.36
10th percentile $39,610
90th percentile $72,530
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
Charlottesville, VA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,610
    25th
    $50,260
    50th (median)
    $59,000
    75th
    $72,520
    90th
    $72,530

    Charlottesville economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $90,552 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 65% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 35% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,440
    Vallejo, CA $101,670
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,640
    Nevada $79,140
    Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $77,750
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $69,460

    Related occupations in Charlottesville, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $40,680
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $73,780
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $45,660
    Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers $33,760
    Bakers $30,620
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $51,890

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Charlottesville, VA is $28.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.00 or more per hour.

    Is Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville, VA is 1.3% 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 Charlottesville?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $39,610 per year in Charlottesville, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,260.