Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Phoenix, AZ

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ

Median annual salary $61,930 +6.3% vs national
Median hourly $29.78
10th percentile $48,200
90th percentile $77,450
Employed locally 2,040
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
Phoenix, AZ
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,200
    25th
    $50,420
    50th (median)
    $61,930
    75th
    $75,380
    90th
    $77,450

    Phoenix economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,703 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 73% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 27% 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
    Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ $60,770
    Tucson, AZ $52,880
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $52,230
    Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ $50,960
    Flagstaff, AZ $49,390
    Yuma, AZ $44,360

    Related occupations in Phoenix, AZ

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $45,440
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $50,120
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $74,160
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $54,650
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $44,510
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $40,150

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Phoenix, AZ is $29.78, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.48 or more per hour.

    Is Phoenix 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 Phoenix, AZ is 6.3% 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 Phoenix?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $48,200 per year in Phoenix, AZ. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,420.