Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Portland, ME

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-South Portland, ME

Median annual salary $61,850 +6.2% vs national
Median hourly $29.74
10th percentile $50,170
90th percentile $81,270
Employed locally 260
National median $58,260

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

Type a city below to see how Portland, ME stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
Portland, ME
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,170
    25th
    $58,920
    50th (median)
    $61,850
    75th
    $66,140
    90th
    $81,270

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,602 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 70% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 30% 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
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $84,960
    Merced, CA $78,320
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $76,620
    Medford, OR $73,380
    Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $73,160
    Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area $71,720

    Related occupations in Portland, ME

    OccupationMedian salary
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$79,520
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$44,450
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$64,330
    Machinists$63,150
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$53,020
    Bakers$38,980

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Portland, ME is $29.74, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.40 or more per hour.

    Is Portland 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 Portland, ME is 6.2% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $50,170 per year in Portland, ME. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,920.