Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $85,790 +47.3% vs national
Median hourly $41.24
10th percentile $51,160
90th percentile $115,610
Employed locally 90
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
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,160
    25th
    $65,960
    50th (median)
    $85,790
    75th
    $101,400
    90th
    $115,610

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 79% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 21% 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
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $84,960

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $45,660
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $41,750
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $70,680
    Bakers $38,330
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $50,570
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $48,830

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Santa Cruz, CA is $41.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $57.26 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz, CA is 47.3% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $51,160 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $65,960.