Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Cleveland, OH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Cleveland, OH

Median annual salary $62,330 +7% vs national
Median hourly $29.97
10th percentile $45,950
90th percentile $80,750
Employed locally 950
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
Cleveland, OH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,950
    25th
    $51,900
    50th (median)
    $62,330
    75th
    $69,710
    90th
    $80,750

    Cleveland economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,507 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 91% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 9% 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
    Lima, OH $62,290
    Columbus, OH $62,170
    Sandusky, OH $60,820
    West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $59,540
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $59,470
    Akron, OH $59,180

    Related occupations in Cleveland, OH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$42,990
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$71,220
    Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$47,110
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$48,120
    Machinists$57,290
    Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$44,600

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Cleveland, OH is $29.97, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.55 or more per hour.

    Is Cleveland 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 Cleveland, OH is 7% 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 Cleveland?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $45,950 per year in Cleveland, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,900.