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

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

Median annual salary $82,790 +42.1% vs national
Median hourly $39.80
10th percentile $49,750
90th percentile $97,630
Employed locally 220
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
Modesto, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,750
    25th
    $61,920
    50th (median)
    $82,790
    75th
    $91,800
    90th
    $97,630

    Modesto economic context

    Unemployment rate 6.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,661 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 104% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 4% 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 Modesto, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $56,990
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $77,270
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $43,720
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $51,920
    Food Processing Workers, All Other $39,820
    Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $56,430

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Modesto, CA is $39.80, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.90 or more per hour.

    Is Modesto 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 Modesto, CA is 42.1% 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 Modesto?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $49,750 per year in Modesto, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,920.