Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Owensboro, KY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Owensboro, KY

Median annual salary $48,580 -16.6% vs national
Median hourly $23.36
10th percentile $35,050
90th percentile $72,670
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
Owensboro, KY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,050
    25th
    $38,190
    50th (median)
    $48,580
    75th
    $60,170
    90th
    $72,670

    Owensboro economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,656 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 74% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 26% 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
    Sandusky, OH $60,820
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $59,470
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $55,660
    Paducah, KY-IL $49,960
    Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area $48,590
    Lexington-Fayette, KY $48,040

    Related occupations in Owensboro, KY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $57,480
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $50,080
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $67,140
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $35,040
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $46,680
    Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $38,710

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Owensboro, KY is $23.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.47 or more per hour.

    Is Owensboro 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 Owensboro, KY is 16.6% 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 Owensboro?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $35,050 per year in Owensboro, KY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,190.