Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Employment & Job Outlook in Pennsylvania (2024)

Pennsylvania employs 5,200 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Pennsylvania employment outlook • Updated 2026-04-06

Total Employed
5,200
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
5.2
workers
Location Quotient
2.12
vs national avg
Average Salary
$59K
annual

High Demand in Pennsylvania

The location quotient (LQ) of 2.12 indicates that Pennsylvania has a higher-than-average concentration of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

Pennsylvania vs National Average

Total Employed
5,200
National: 120,040
4.3% of national
Jobs per 1,000
5.2
National: 2.45
+112.2%
Average Salary
$59K
National: $57K
+3.4%

Top States by Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Employment

#1
10,770
10,770
employed
#2
10,620
10,620
employed
#3
7,330
7,330
employed
#4
5,580
5,580
employed
#5
5,200
5,200
employed
#6
5,030
5,030
employed
#7
4,470
4,470
employed
#8
3,890
3,890
employed
#9
3,280
3,280
employed
#10
3,220
3,220
employed

What Does a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Earn in Pennsylvania?

The average annual salary for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Pennsylvania is $59,190. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators jobs are there in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania employs approximately 5,200 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators professionals (2024 BLS data). This ranks Pennsylvania among the top states nationwide.

Is Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in demand in Pennsylvania?

Yes — Pennsylvania has above-average concentration of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators jobs (LQ: 2.12). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Pennsylvania?

The average (mean) salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Pennsylvania is $59190/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators professionals?

The top state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators employment is Texas with 10,770 jobs.

Related Pages

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (SOC 518031) in Pennsylvania.

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary After-Tax Take-Home Pay Cost of Living Adjusted Entry-Level vs Senior Salary Hourly Wage Employment Outlook
Rankings
Highest Paying Jobs Jobs Over $100K Average Salary All Jobs in Pennsylvania Career Progression Hourly Wages Employment Outlook