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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $83,260 +42.9% vs national
Median hourly $40.03
10th percentile $55,790
90th percentile $123,550
Employed locally 260
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 Maria, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $55,790
    25th
    $66,830
    50th (median)
    $83,260
    75th
    $101,980
    90th
    $123,550

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 87% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 13% 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 Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $46,190
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $58,240
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $71,860
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $39,150
    Bakers $38,930
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $49,990

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Santa Maria, CA is $40.03, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $61.32 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Maria 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 Maria, CA is 42.9% 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 Maria?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $55,790 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $66,830.