Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Southwest Virginia

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $47,860 -17.9% vs national
Median hourly $23.01
10th percentile $36,150
90th percentile $66,330
Employed locally 310
National median $58,260

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

Type a city below to see how Southwest Virginia stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
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Southwest Virginia
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,150
    25th
    $41,380
    50th (median)
    $47,860
    75th
    $57,490
    90th
    $66,330

    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

    Related occupations in Southwest Virginia

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $39,340
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $63,580
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $42,470
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $45,860
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $46,890
    Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing $36,760

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make per hour in Southwest Virginia?

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Southwest Virginia is $23.01, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $32.10 or more per hour.

    Is Southwest Virginia 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 Southwest Virginia is 17.9% 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 Southwest Virginia?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $36,150 per year in Southwest Virginia. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $41,380.