Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Median annual salary $66,010 +13.3% vs national
Median hourly $31.74
10th percentile $48,340
90th percentile $83,340
Employed locally 1,690
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
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Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,340
    25th
    $58,100
    50th (median)
    $66,010
    75th
    $77,970
    90th
    $83,340

    Philadelphia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $89,273 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
    Napa, CA $99,450
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $80,480
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $74,680
    Lebanon, PA $66,480
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $62,850
    Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $62,520

    Related occupations in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $42,770
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $77,290
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $49,700
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $40,840
    Bakers $36,160
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $56,110

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $31.74, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.56 or more per hour.

    Is Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 13.3% 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 Philadelphia?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $48,340 per year in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,100.