Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $79,390 +36.3% vs national
Median hourly $38.17
10th percentile $58,050
90th percentile $106,780
Employed locally 900
National median $58,260

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

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $58,050
    25th
    $67,210
    50th (median)
    $79,390
    75th
    $100,770
    90th
    $106,780

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 78% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 22% 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 San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$45,870
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$56,110
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$47,860
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$76,010
    Production Workers, All Other$39,290
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$40,680

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in San Diego, CA is $38.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $51.93 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego 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 San Diego, CA is 36.3% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $58,050 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $67,210.