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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Virginia

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

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

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$59,420
Median Annual Salary
▲ +0.8% vs 2024
$60,500
Mean Salary
$59,420
Median Salary
$28.57
Hourly Rate
3,460 people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary by percentile in Virginia

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

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Virginia — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia.10thBottom 10% earn less than $38,590$38,59025th25% earn less than $47,980$47,980MedianHalf earn more than $59,420$59,42075th75% earn less than $73,600$73,60090thTop 10% earn more than $79,470$79,470

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia earn a median salary of $59,420 per year ($4,951/month). This is 0.9% below the national average of $59,966. Virginia ranks #28 out of 50 states for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay. Approximately 3,460 people work in this occupation across Virginia. Salaries increased by 0.8% 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 Virginia

Salaries for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia range from $38,590 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $79,470 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $47,980 and $73,600.

Median $59,420
P10: $38,590 P25: $47,980 P75: $73,600 P90: $79,470
10th
$38,590
25th
$47,980
Median
$59,420
75th
$73,600
90th
$79,470
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $38,590 $18.55 $3,215
25th Percentile $47,980 $23.07 $3,998
Median (50th) $59,420 $28.57 $4,951
75th Percentile $73,600 $35.38 $6,133
90th Percentile (Experienced) $79,470 $38.21 $6,622

Note: The mean (average) salary of $60,500 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#28
Virginia ranks #28 of 50 states
$59,966
National avg. for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
-0.9%
vs. national average
Near Average

What does this salary really buy? See Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Virginia 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 Virginia after taxes →

Explore Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Data in Virginia

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 Virginia?
The median annual salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia is $59,420 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $60,500.
What is the salary range for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia?
Salaries for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia range from $38,590 at the 10th percentile to $79,470 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $47,980 and $73,600.
What is the starting salary for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia?
Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators positions in Virginia typically start around $38,590 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $47,980 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 3,460 people are employed as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia.
What is the hourly rate for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia is approximately $28.57 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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