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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $123,390 +111.8% vs national
Median hourly $59.32
10th percentile $74,630
90th percentile $143,140
Employed locally 1,160
National median $58,260

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

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

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
San Francisco, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $74,630
    25th
    $97,840
    50th (median)
    $123,390
    75th
    $132,730
    90th
    $143,140

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 92% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 8% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $88,440

    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
    Napa, CA $99,450
    Salinas, CA $90,610
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $85,790
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $84,960

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$52,330
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$58,950
    Bakers$45,620
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$54,700
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$83,130
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$47,140

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in San Francisco, CA is $59.32, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $71.05 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA is 111.8% 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $74,630 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $97,840.