Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Milwaukee, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Median annual salary $64,960 +11.5% vs national
Median hourly $31.23
10th percentile $50,280
90th percentile $80,720
Employed locally 420
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
Milwaukee, WI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,280
    25th
    $58,070
    50th (median)
    $64,960
    75th
    $71,160
    90th
    $80,720

    Milwaukee economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $76,404 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 85% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 15% 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
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $78,020
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $77,800
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $74,680
    Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI $69,730
    Sheboygan, WI $67,200
    Madison, WI $66,470

    Related occupations in Milwaukee, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $44,840
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $76,260
    Machinists $53,010
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $49,580
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $46,090
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $57,370

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Milwaukee, WI is $31.23, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.80 or more per hour.

    Is Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee, WI is 11.5% 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 Milwaukee?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $50,280 per year in Milwaukee, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,070.