Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Virginia Beach, VA-NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

Median annual salary $59,370 +1.9% vs national
Median hourly $28.54
10th percentile $44,290
90th percentile $76,390
Employed locally 650
National median $58,260

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

Type a city below to see how Virginia Beach, VA-NC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
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Virginia Beach, VA-NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,290
    25th
    $46,170
    50th (median)
    $59,370
    75th
    $70,040
    90th
    $76,390

    Virginia Beach economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,533 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 74% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 26% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,440
    Vallejo, CA $101,670
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,640
    Nevada $79,140
    Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $77,750
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $69,460

    Related occupations in Virginia Beach, VA-NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $60,700
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $38,570
    Machinists $60,920
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $77,310
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $56,100
    Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $59,020

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia Beach, VA-NC is $28.54, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.92 or more per hour.

    Is Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach, VA-NC is 1.9% 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 Virginia Beach?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $44,290 per year in Virginia Beach, VA-NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,170.