Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in El Centro, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • El Centro, CA

Median annual salary $75,790 +30.1% vs national
Median hourly $36.44
10th percentile $47,480
90th percentile $109,400
Employed locally 100
National median $58,260

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
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El Centro, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,480
    25th
    $64,300
    50th (median)
    $75,790
    75th
    $95,300
    90th
    $109,400

    El Centro economic context

    Unemployment rate 18.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $56,393 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 134% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 34% 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 El Centro, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$34,940
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$83,270
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$45,430
    Butchers and Meat Cutters$47,240
    Helpers--Production Workers$38,610
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$56,660

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in El Centro, CA is $36.44, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $54.26 or more per hour.

    Is El Centro 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 El Centro, CA is 30.1% 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 El Centro?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $47,480 per year in El Centro, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $64,300.