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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in New Jersey

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in New Jersey?

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$78,760
Median Annual Salary
▲ +4.7% vs 2024
$77,530
Mean Salary
$78,760
Median Salary
$37.87
Hourly Rate
2,500 people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in New Jersey

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary by percentile in New Jersey

BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in New Jersey — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in New Jersey.10thBottom 10% earn less than $51,050$51,05025th25% earn less than $62,280$62,280MedianHalf earn more than $78,760$78,76075th75% earn less than $93,520$93,52090thTop 10% earn more than $99,240$99,240

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in New Jersey earn a median salary of $78,760 per year ($6,563/month). This is 31.3% above the national average of $59,966. New Jersey ranks #5 out of 50 states for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay. Approximately 2,500 people work in this occupation across New Jersey. Salaries increased by 4.7% compared to 2024.

About This Job: Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

Top Skills

Operations Monitoring
3.88
Operation and Control
3.75
Monitoring
3.62
Active Listening
3.38
Quality Control Analysis
3.38

Key Knowledge Areas

Chemistry
3.98
Biology
3.9
Mechanical
3.89
Mathematics
3.62
Public Safety and Security
3.48
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent (41.8% of workers)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in New Jersey

Salaries for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in New Jersey range from $51,050 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $99,240 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $62,280 and $93,520.

Median $78,760
P10: $51,050 P25: $62,280 P75: $93,520 P90: $99,240
10th
$51,050
25th
$62,280
Median
$78,760
75th
$93,520
90th
$99,240
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $51,050 $24.54 $4,254
25th Percentile $62,280 $29.94 $5,190
Median (50th) $78,760 $37.87 $6,563
75th Percentile $93,520 $44.96 $7,793
90th Percentile (Experienced) $99,240 $47.71 $8,270

Note: The mean (average) salary of $77,530 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#5
New Jersey ranks #5 of 50 states
$59,966
National avg. for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
+31.3%
vs. national average
Above Average

What does this salary really buy? See Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in New Jersey adjusted for cost of living →

How much do you actually take home? See Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators take-home pay in New Jersey after taxes →

Explore Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Data in New Jersey

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary by State

Compare Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

View all 50 states →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in New Jersey?
The median annual salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in New Jersey is $78,760 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $77,530.
What is the salary range for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in New Jersey?
Salaries for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in New Jersey range from $51,050 at the 10th percentile to $99,240 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $62,280 and $93,520.
What is the starting salary for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in New Jersey?
Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators positions in New Jersey typically start around $51,050 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $62,280 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in New Jersey?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 2,500 people are employed as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in New Jersey.
What is the hourly rate for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in New Jersey?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in New Jersey is approximately $37.87 per hour.

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Data Source & Methodology

Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.

Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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