Washington ranks 3rd of 50 states and D.C. for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators pay, trailing top-paying California ($82,100) by $3,290 — a 4% gap.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are less concentrated in Washington than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.67 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.49× below the national share.
Washington employs roughly 1.5% of all water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the country (1,950 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $54,990 | $26.44 |
| 25th percentile | $64,880 | $31.19 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $78,810 | $37.89 |
| 75th percentile | $92,520 | $44.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,450 | $48.77 |
| Mean (average) | $78,520 | $37.75 |
How Washington Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Washington (current) | $78,810 | n/a |
| California | $82,100 | +4% |
| Nevada | $79,140 | +0% |
| Alaska | $76,910 | -2% |
| New Jersey | $75,200 | -5% |
| Connecticut | $74,450 | -6% |
| Minnesota | $70,470 | -11% |
| Colorado | $68,220 | -13% |
| New Hampshire | $66,240 | -16% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Washington
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Equipment Repairers | $78,620 | 1,860 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $79,070 | 12,210 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $79,190 | 9,070 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $79,190 | 30,090 |
| Producers and Directors | $79,220 | 2,710 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $78,310 | 1,200 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Washington?
The mean water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators salary in Washington is $78,520 per year. The median (middle) salary is $78,810 per year.
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 operatorss (10th percentile) in Washington typically earn around $54,990 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $64,880 per year.
What is the highest Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Washington?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Washington make approximately $101,450 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $92,520 per year.
How does the Washington Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary compare to the national average?
The median water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators salary in Washington is $78,810, which is +35% above national average of $58,260.