Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary really buy you in Kansas?
Kansas is 10.0% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Kansas's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 90.0, meaning prices are 10.0% lower the national average. A Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators earning $46,780 in Kansas has the equivalent purchasing power of $51,977 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Kansas's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $35,870 | $39,855 | +$3,985 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $40,830 | $45,366 | +$4,536 |
| Median (P50) | $46,780 | $51,977 | +$5,197 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $56,240 | $62,488 | +$6,248 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $66,800 | $74,222 | +$7,422 |
A Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Kansas earns $46,780 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 11% further — like earning $51,977 in an average-cost state. This makes Kansas one of the best value states for this occupation.
Kansas's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 90.0 means a basket of goods and services costs about 10.0% less than the national average. For a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.
Adjusting $46,780 for Kansas's cost of living yields $51,978 — a 11.1% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.
Kansas ranks #44 of 50 — bottom quartile for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Kansas ranks #44 out of 50 states for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators take-home pay in Kansas after taxes →
A Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Kansas earns a median salary of $46,780 per year. After adjusting for Kansas's cost of living (RPP=90.0), the real purchasing power is $51,977 — a +11.1% difference.
Kansas's cost of living is 10.0% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Kansas is 90.0 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Kansas: $46,780 x (100 / 90.0) = $51,977. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Kansas enjoys 11.1% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.