Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Portland, OR-WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Median annual salary $79,640 +36.7% vs national
Median hourly $38.29
10th percentile $52,040
90th percentile $98,010
Employed locally 450
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
Portland, OR-WA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $52,040
    25th
    $60,900
    50th (median)
    $79,640
    75th
    $85,040
    90th
    $98,010

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,573 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 84% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 16% 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
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $83,830
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $82,830
    California $82,100
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $81,730
    Rockford, IL $79,410
    Anchorage, AK $78,210

    Related occupations in Portland, OR-WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Semiconductor Processing Technicians $61,410
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $46,420
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $73,960
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $57,050
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $60,940
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $43,900

    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, OR-WA is $38.29, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.70 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, OR-WA is 36.7% 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 $52,040 per year in Portland, OR-WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $60,900.