Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $69,460 +19.2% vs national
Median hourly $33.40
10th percentile $50,020
90th percentile $98,400
Employed locally 1,450
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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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,020
    25th
    $60,220
    50th (median)
    $69,460
    75th
    $81,930
    90th
    $98,400

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 56% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 44% 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Bakers $37,160
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $76,750
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $44,650
    Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers $35,420
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $60,040
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $57,220

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $33.40, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.68 or more per hour.

    Is Washington 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 Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 19.2% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $50,020 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $60,220.