Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Columbia, MO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, MO

Median annual salary $48,690 -16.4% vs national
Median hourly $23.41
10th percentile $38,370
90th percentile $77,960
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
Columbia, MO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,370
    25th
    $48,690
    50th (median)
    $48,690
    75th
    $60,710
    90th
    $77,960

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,463 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 70% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 30% 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
    Modesto, CA $82,790
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $81,730
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $71,650
    Kokomo, IN $71,230
    Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI $69,730

    Related occupations in Columbia, MO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$41,690
    Production Workers, All Other$46,230
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$48,860
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$72,530
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$51,000
    Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$32,590

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Columbia, MO is $23.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.70 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia 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 Columbia, MO is 16.4% below 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $38,370 per year in Columbia, MO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,690.