Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in New Orleans, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • New Orleans-Metairie, LA

Median annual salary $40,540 -30.4% vs national
Median hourly $19.49
10th percentile $29,760
90th percentile $62,690
Employed locally 540
National median $58,260

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

Type a city below to see how New Orleans, LA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
New Orleans, LA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,760
    25th
    $37,440
    50th (median)
    $40,540
    75th
    $52,420
    90th
    $62,690

    New Orleans economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,271 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 65% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 35% below the area median household income

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in New Orleans, LA is $19.49, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.01 or more per hour.

    Is New Orleans 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 New Orleans, LA is 30.4% 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 New Orleans?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $29,760 per year in New Orleans, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,440.