Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Tucson, AZ

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Tucson, AZ

Median annual salary $52,880 -9.2% vs national
Median hourly $25.42
10th percentile $36,740
90th percentile $70,430
Employed locally 240
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
Tucson, AZ
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,740
    25th
    $46,140
    50th (median)
    $52,880
    75th
    $60,640
    90th
    $70,430

    Tucson economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,929 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 78% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 22% 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
    Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $61,930
    Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ $60,770
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $52,230
    Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ $50,960
    Flagstaff, AZ $49,390
    Yuma, AZ $44,360

    Related occupations in Tucson, AZ

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$39,890
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$57,210
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$64,930
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$51,410
    Machinists$58,380
    Bakers$36,680

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Tucson, AZ is $25.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.96 or more per hour.

    Is Tucson 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 Tucson, AZ is 9.2% 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 Tucson?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $36,740 per year in Tucson, AZ. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,140.