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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

Median annual salary $80,480 +38.1% vs national
Median hourly $38.69
10th percentile $56,830
90th percentile $100,290
Employed locally 180
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 Luis Obispo, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $56,830
    25th
    $65,130
    50th (median)
    $80,480
    75th
    $97,180
    90th
    $100,290

    San Luis Obispo economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,398 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 86% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 14% 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 Luis Obispo, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $44,280
    Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $58,100
    Bakers $38,280
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $78,630
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $39,840
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $44,480

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in San Luis Obispo, CA is $38.69, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $50.47 or more per hour.

    Is San Luis Obispo 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 Luis Obispo, CA is 38.1% 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 Luis Obispo?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $56,830 per year in San Luis Obispo, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $65,130.