Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Lexington, KY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lexington-Fayette, KY

Median annual salary $48,040 -17.5% vs national
Median hourly $23.10
10th percentile $30,540
90th percentile $60,540
Employed locally 330
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
Lexington, KY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,540
    25th
    $37,560
    50th (median)
    $48,040
    75th
    $57,890
    90th
    $60,540

    Lexington economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,717 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 68% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 32% 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
    Sandusky, OH $60,820
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $59,470
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $55,660
    Paducah, KY-IL $49,960
    Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area $48,590
    Owensboro, KY $48,580

    Related occupations in Lexington, KY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $51,950
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $44,980
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $78,040
    Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $47,580
    Production Workers, All Other $37,160
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $42,460

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Lexington, KY is $23.10, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.35 or more per hour.

    Is Lexington 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 Lexington, KY is 17.5% 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 Lexington?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $30,540 per year in Lexington, KY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,560.