Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $82,500 +41.6% vs national
Median hourly $39.66
10th percentile $56,370
90th percentile $109,410
Employed locally 1,580
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
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Riverside, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $56,370
    25th
    $66,120
    50th (median)
    $82,500
    75th
    $100,470
    90th
    $109,410

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 96% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 4% 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $123,390
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,440
    Vallejo, CA $101,670
    Napa, CA $99,450
    Salinas, CA $90,610
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $85,790

    Related occupations in Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$40,720
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$46,240
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$67,290
    Production Workers, All Other$37,520
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$41,620
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$50,180

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Riverside, CA is $39.66, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $53.88 or more per hour.

    Is Riverside 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 Riverside, CA is 41.6% 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 Riverside?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $56,370 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $66,120.