Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in South Bend, IN-MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI

Median annual salary $49,620 -14.8% vs national
Median hourly $23.86
10th percentile $42,080
90th percentile $60,530
Employed locally 100
National median $58,260

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

Type a city below to see how South Bend, IN-MI stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
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South Bend, IN-MI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,080
    25th
    $47,230
    50th (median)
    $49,620
    75th
    $60,460
    90th
    $60,530

    South Bend economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,385 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 76% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 24% 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
    Salinas, CA $90,610
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $82,500
    Bloomington, IL $80,600
    Washington $78,810
    Bellingham, WA $78,690
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $77,190

    Related occupations in South Bend, IN-MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $39,400
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $65,230
    Machinists $48,750
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $46,190
    Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $46,900
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $47,930

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make per hour in South Bend?

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in South Bend, IN-MI is $23.86, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.50 or more per hour.

    Is South Bend 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 South Bend, IN-MI is 14.8% below 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 South Bend?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $42,080 per year in South Bend, IN-MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,230.