Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $51,310 -11.9% vs national
Median hourly $24.67
10th percentile $37,450
90th percentile $75,010
Employed locally 1,960
National median $58,260

Compare Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Houston, TX stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
Houston, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,450
    25th
    $45,590
    50th (median)
    $51,310
    75th
    $60,110
    90th
    $75,010

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 64% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 36% 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
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $59,670
    Waco, TX $59,010
    Odessa, TX $52,290
    Corpus Christi, TX $52,100
    Midland, TX $52,090
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $51,300

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $36,560
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $53,810
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $43,810
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $72,530
    Machinists $58,630
    Helpers--Production Workers $35,990

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Houston, TX is $24.67, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.02 or more per hour.

    Is Houston 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 Houston, TX is 11.9% 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $37,450 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,590.