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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Washington

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

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

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$80,800
Median Annual Salary
▲ +2.5% vs 2024
$82,770
Mean Salary
$80,800
Median Salary
$38.85
Hourly Rate
2,030 people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Washington

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

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

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Washington — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Washington.10thBottom 10% earn less than $57,720$57,72025th25% earn less than $67,690$67,690MedianHalf earn more than $80,800$80,80075th75% earn less than $99,940$99,94090thTop 10% earn more than $106,270$106,270

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Washington earn a median salary of $80,800 per year ($6,733/month). This is 34.7% above the national average of $59,966. Washington ranks #3 out of 50 states for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay. Approximately 2,030 people work in this occupation across Washington. Salaries increased by 2.5% 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 Washington

Salaries for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Washington range from $57,720 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $106,270 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $67,690 and $99,940.

Median $80,800
P10: $57,720 P25: $67,690 P75: $99,940 P90: $106,270
10th
$57,720
25th
$67,690
Median
$80,800
75th
$99,940
90th
$106,270
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $57,720 $27.75 $4,810
25th Percentile $67,690 $32.54 $5,640
Median (50th) $80,800 $38.85 $6,733
75th Percentile $99,940 $48.05 $8,328
90th Percentile (Experienced) $106,270 $51.09 $8,855

Note: The mean (average) salary of $82,770 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#3
Washington ranks #3 of 50 states
$59,966
National avg. for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
+34.7%
vs. national average
Above Average

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

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

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 Washington?
The median annual salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Washington is $80,800 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $82,770.
What is the salary range for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Washington?
Salaries for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Washington range from $57,720 at the 10th percentile to $106,270 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $67,690 and $99,940.
What is the starting salary for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Washington?
Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators positions in Washington typically start around $57,720 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $67,690 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Washington?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 2,030 people are employed as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Washington.
What is the hourly rate for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Washington?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Washington is approximately $38.85 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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