Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Lincoln, NE

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lincoln, NE

Median annual salary $69,120 +18.6% vs national
Median hourly $33.23
10th percentile $51,680
90th percentile $77,770
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
Lincoln, NE
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,680
    25th
    $59,020
    50th (median)
    $69,120
    75th
    $69,120
    90th
    $77,770

    Lincoln economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,095 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 95% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 5% 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
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $82,830
    Nevada $79,140
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $78,020
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $77,800
    Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $77,750
    New Haven, CT $75,440

    Related occupations in Lincoln, NE

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $47,560
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $69,520
    Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders $43,770
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $53,450
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $37,200
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $51,790

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Lincoln, NE is $33.23, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.26 or more per hour.

    Is Lincoln 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 Lincoln, NE is 18.6% 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 Lincoln?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $51,680 per year in Lincoln, NE. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,020.