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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Salinas, CA

Median annual salary $90,610 +55.5% vs national
Median hourly $43.56
10th percentile $55,980
90th percentile $128,250
Employed locally 140
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
Salinas, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $55,980
    25th
    $69,110
    50th (median)
    $90,610
    75th
    $108,620
    90th
    $128,250

    Salinas economic context

    Unemployment rate 7.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,486 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
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $88,440

    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
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $85,790
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $84,960

    Related occupations in Salinas, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $44,530
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $68,770
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $43,060
    Bakers $40,160
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $38,760
    Production Workers, All Other $38,060

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Salinas, CA is $43.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $60.36 or more per hour.

    Is Salinas 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 Salinas, CA is 55.5% 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 Salinas?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $55,980 per year in Salinas, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $69,110.