Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Reading, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Reading, PA

Median annual salary $59,910 +2.8% vs national
Median hourly $28.80
10th percentile $47,000
90th percentile $75,470
Employed locally 180
National median $58,260

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

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

Full tool →
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
Reading, PA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,000
    25th
    $51,680
    50th (median)
    $59,910
    75th
    $71,640
    90th
    $75,470

    Reading economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $77,684 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 77% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 23% 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
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $66,010
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $62,850

    Related occupations in Reading, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $42,050
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $75,670
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $51,460
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $52,520
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $41,230
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $52,590

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Reading, PA is $28.80, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.34 or more per hour.

    Is Reading 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 Reading, PA is 2.8% 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 Reading?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $47,000 per year in Reading, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,680.