Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Merced, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Merced, CA

Median annual salary $78,320 +34.4% vs national
Median hourly $37.66
10th percentile $46,230
90th percentile $98,350
Employed locally 90
National median $58,260

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

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

Full tool →
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
Merced, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,230
    25th
    $60,180
    50th (median)
    $78,320
    75th
    $78,650
    90th
    $98,350

    Merced economic context

    Unemployment rate 9.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,044 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 120% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 20% 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 Merced, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Slaughterers and Meat Packers$38,660
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$45,050
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$76,730
    Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$35,070
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$46,110
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$48,710

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Merced, CA is $37.66, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.72 or more per hour.

    Is Merced 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 Merced, CA is 34.4% 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 Merced?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $46,230 per year in Merced, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $60,180.