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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chico, CA

Median annual salary $75,280 +29.2% vs national
Median hourly $36.19
10th percentile $46,210
90th percentile $105,060
Employed locally 110
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
Chico, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,210
    25th
    $55,880
    50th (median)
    $75,280
    75th
    $98,300
    90th
    $105,060

    Chico economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,574 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 110% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 10% above 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 Chico, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $43,700
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $39,320
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $74,880
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $49,960
    Butchers and Meat Cutters $43,680
    Bakers $38,710

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Chico, CA is $36.19, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $53.29 or more per hour.

    Is Chico 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 Chico, CA is 29.2% 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 Chico?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $46,210 per year in Chico, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $55,880.