Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Richmond, VA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Richmond, VA

Median annual salary $58,920 +1.1% vs national
Median hourly $28.33
10th percentile $39,970
90th percentile $76,980
Employed locally 400
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
Richmond, VA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,970
    25th
    $46,680
    50th (median)
    $58,920
    75th
    $70,710
    90th
    $76,980

    Richmond economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,405 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,440
    Vallejo, CA $101,670
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,640
    Nevada $79,140
    Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $77,750
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $69,460

    Related occupations in Richmond, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$38,400
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$73,480
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$47,630
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$48,180
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$56,670
    Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$30,990

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Richmond, VA is $28.33, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.66 or more per hour.

    Is Richmond 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 Richmond, VA is 1.1% 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 Richmond?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $39,970 per year in Richmond, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,680.