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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $106,440 +82.7% vs national
Median hourly $51.17
10th percentile $66,520
90th percentile $134,680
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
San Jose, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $66,520
    25th
    $86,570
    50th (median)
    $106,440
    75th
    $133,560
    90th
    $134,680

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 68% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 32% 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
    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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $123,390
    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 Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$48,430
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$51,210
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$58,460
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$88,990
    Production Workers, All Other$47,670
    Machinists$62,870

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in San Jose, CA is $51.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $66.85 or more per hour.

    Is San Jose 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 Jose, CA is 82.7% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $66,520 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $86,570.