Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in St. Louis, MO-IL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • St. Louis, MO-IL

Median annual salary $58,910 +1.1% vs national
Median hourly $28.32
10th percentile $44,180
90th percentile $83,540
Employed locally 1,140
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
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St. Louis, MO-IL
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,180
    25th
    $53,470
    50th (median)
    $58,910
    75th
    $69,660
    90th
    $83,540

    St. Louis economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $78,225 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 75% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 25% 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
    Modesto, CA $82,790
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $81,730
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $71,650
    Kokomo, IN $71,230
    Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI $69,730

    Related occupations in St. Louis, MO-IL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $43,790
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $75,210
    Machinists $60,850
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $51,530
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $44,780
    Production Workers, All Other $39,610

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make per hour in St. Louis?

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in St. Louis, MO-IL is $28.32, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.26 or more per hour.

    Is St. Louis 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 St. Louis, MO-IL is 1.1% 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 St. Louis?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $44,180 per year in St. Louis, MO-IL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $53,470.