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Water operator salary
Average water operator salary
$43,748
Average Water Operator Salary
The average salary for a Water Operator is $43,748 per year. This figure represents a typical earning potential for individuals in this essential role. Salaries can vary based on factors such as geographic location, experience level, and specific employer.
How Much Does a Water Operator Make?
Water Operators can expect their salaries to increase with experience. Entry-level positions typically start lower, while experienced operators command higher pay due to their specialized skills.
Where Can a Water Operator Earn More?
Regions with higher costs of living or significant water infrastructure projects often offer more competitive salaries. For example, states like California and New York typically have higher average salaries for Water Operators compared to other regions.
Average Water Operator Salary by State
Understanding state-specific salary data is crucial for job seekers. Research shows that operators in states like Washington and Texas earn substantially more than the national average.
Highest Paying Cities for Water Operators
Urban areas with extensive water systems often provide the best compensation. Cities such as San Francisco and New York lead the way, offering salaries that reflect the high demand for skilled professionals.
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Where can a Water Operator earn more?
Water operator salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level water operator | $39,900 | $19.17 |
| Mid-level water operator | $54,100 | $26.00 |
| Senior-level water operator | $57,800 | $27.79 |
Average water operator salary by state
The highest-paying states for water operators are Washington, Maine, and Vermont. The lowest average water operator salary states are New Mexico, Georgia, and Louisiana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for water operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | $59,742 | $28.72 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $54,727 | $26.31 |
| 3 | Alaska | $58,248 | $28.00 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $55,856 | $26.85 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $49,628 | $23.86 |
| 6 | Nevada | $50,557 | $24.31 |
| 7 | Oregon | $54,481 | $26.19 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $50,358 | $24.21 |
| 9 | Washington | $70,750 | $34.01 |
| 10 | Iowa | $47,484 | $22.83 |
| 11 | Delaware | $50,278 | $24.17 |
| 12 | Maine | $63,407 | $30.48 |
| 13 | Montana | $47,310 | $22.75 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $51,428 | $24.73 |
| 15 | Utah | $47,954 | $23.05 |
| 16 | Wyoming | $45,018 | $21.64 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $50,751 | $24.40 |
| 18 | California | $51,528 | $24.77 |
| 19 | Arizona | $46,498 | $22.35 |
| 20 | West Virginia | $45,143 | $21.70 |
| 21 | District of Columbia | $47,573 | $22.87 |
| 22 | Ohio | $46,442 | $22.33 |
| 23 | Colorado | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| 24 | Illinois | $49,074 | $23.59 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $44,310 | $21.30 |
| 26 | New Hampshire | $45,734 | $21.99 |
| 27 | Nebraska | $47,022 | $22.61 |
| 28 | Idaho | $42,745 | $20.55 |
| 29 | South Dakota | $42,666 | $20.51 |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| 31 | Indiana | $43,591 | $20.96 |
| 32 | Pennsylvania | $41,660 | $20.03 |
| 33 | New York | $46,847 | $22.52 |
| 34 | Maryland | $38,785 | $18.65 |
| 35 | Virginia | $44,194 | $21.25 |
| 36 | Kansas | $37,471 | $18.01 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $36,985 | $17.78 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $36,478 | $17.54 |
| 39 | Alabama | $36,673 | $17.63 |
| 40 | Michigan | $42,444 | $20.41 |
| 41 | Florida | $36,653 | $17.62 |
| 42 | Missouri | $38,313 | $18.42 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $31,734 | $15.26 |
| 44 | North Carolina | $36,557 | $17.58 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $34,634 | $16.65 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $35,179 | $16.91 |
| 47 | Texas | $31,831 | $15.30 |
| 48 | New Mexico | $34,601 | $16.64 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $32,392 | $15.57 |
| 50 | Georgia | $32,670 | $15.71 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $31,523 | $15.16 |
Highest paying cities for water operators
The highest-paying cities for water operators are Bellevue, WA, Portland, OR, and East Palo Alto, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue, WA | $70,960 | $34.12 |
| 2 | Portland, OR | $54,677 | $26.29 |
| 3 | East Palo Alto, CA | $52,932 | $25.45 |
| 4 | Prior Lake, MN | $51,267 | $24.65 |
| 5 | Lynn, MA | $50,230 | $24.15 |
| 6 | Woonsocket, RI | $49,539 | $23.82 |
| 7 | Salt Lake City, UT | $48,028 | $23.09 |
| 8 | Peoria, IL | $47,809 | $22.99 |
| 9 | Cleveland, OH | $47,734 | $22.95 |
| 10 | Bozeman, MT | $46,901 | $22.55 |
| 11 | Avondale, AZ | $46,647 | $22.43 |
| 12 | Thornton, CO | $46,224 | $22.22 |
| 13 | Meridian, ID | $42,881 | $20.62 |
| 14 | Sioux Falls, SD | $42,488 | $20.43 |
| 15 | Wentzville, MO | $38,329 | $18.43 |
| 16 | Columbia, SC | $37,182 | $17.88 |
| 17 | Fort Myers, FL | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| 18 | Charlotte, NC | $36,016 | $17.32 |
| 19 | Henderson, KY | $34,704 | $16.68 |
| 20 | Santa Fe, NM | $34,463 | $16.57 |
Water operator salary details
A water operator's salary ranges from $32,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $58,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a water operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $58,000 | $4,833 | $28 |
| 75th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| Average | $43,748 | $3,646 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
Highest paying water operator jobs
The highest paying types of water operators are transmission system operator, senior system operator, and auxiliary operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Treatment Technician | $44,399 | $3,700 | $21.35 | 16,677 |
| Utility Plant Operative | $42,253 | $3,521 | $20.31 | 19,159 |
| Water Technician | $38,723 | $3,227 | $18.62 | 34,702 |
| Wastewater Treatment Operator | $45,618 | $3,802 | $21.93 | 32,561 |
| Utility Operator | $38,693 | $3,224 | $18.60 | 67,565 |
| Auxiliary Operator | $60,040 | $5,003 | $28.87 | 32,777 |
Top companies hiring water operators now:
Which companies pay water operators the most?
Water operator salaries at Continental Resources and Stantec are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average water operator salary at companies like Jacobs Engineering Group and JBS USA are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Continental Resources | $55,581 | $26.72 |
| 2 | Stantec | $51,967 | $24.98 |
| 3 | Jacobs Engineering Group | $48,946 | $23.53 |
| 4 | JBS USA | $48,729 | $23.43 |
| 5 | HDR | $48,525 | $23.33 |
| 6 | Hess | $48,189 | $23.17 |
| 7 | City of San Antonio | $47,829 | $22.99 |
| 8 | Woodard & Curran | $46,951 | $22.57 |
| 9 | Mystic Lake Casino | $46,327 | $22.27 |
| 10 | Veolia Water Tech | $45,980 | $22.11 |
| 11 | HKA Enterprises | $45,882 | $22.06 |
| 12 | Tetra Technologies | $45,531 | $21.89 |
| 13 | Big River Resources | $45,187 | $21.72 |
| 14 | Liberty Utilities | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| 15 | City of Box Elder SD | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| 16 | D M E Co | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| 17 | Jacobs Enterprises | $45,142 | $21.70 |
| 18 | BlueGranite | $45,135 | $21.70 |
| 19 | Minnesota Limited | $44,791 | $21.53 |
| 20 | PSEA | $44,425 | $21.36 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Water Operator salary by industry
The average water operator salary varies across industries:
- The average water operator salary in the manufacturing industry is $47,306, the highest of any industry.
- The average water operator salary in the finance industry is $43,874.
- Water operators in the government industry earn an average salary of $41,604, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for water operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | $47,306 | $22.74 |
| 2 | Energy | $43,874 | $21.09 |
| 3 | Utilities | $43,323 | $20.83 |
| 4 | Government | $41,604 | $20.00 |
High paying water operator jobs
Water operator salary trends
The average water operator salary has risen by $6,514 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average water operator earned $37,234 annually, but today, they earn $43,748 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for water operators over the last decade.
Compare water operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average water operator salary over time
Compare water operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Water operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $43,700 | $21.03 | +2.7% |
| 2025 | $42,600 | $20.46 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $41,700 | $20.04 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $41,100 | $19.77 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | $40,800 | $19.61 | +2.1% |
Recently added water operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Columbia, Mo | Water Operator I-W&L | Columbia, MO | 06/28/2025 | $38,046 |
| Rivanna Authorities | Water Operator Trainee | Charlottesville, VA | 06/27/2025 | $50,088 |
| Eagle Mountain City | Water Operator | Eagle Mountain, UT | 06/27/2025 | $49,984 |
| City of Eagle Mountain, Ut | Water Operator | Eagle Mountain, UT | 06/26/2025 | $49,984 |
| City of Ellsworth, Me | Water Operator | Ellsworth, ME | 06/26/2025 | $48,000 |
| Amentum | Water/Wastewater Operator | Kings Bay Base, GA | 06/26/2025 | $74,381 |
| City of Surprise, Az | Water Operator II | Surprise, AZ | 06/24/2025 | $57,810 |
| Gunnison County | Utility Water/Wastewater Operator | Gunnison, CO | 06/21/2025 | $58,102 |
| County of Madera | Water/Wastewater Operator I | Madera, CA | 06/20/2025 | $56,904 |
| Town of Marana, Az | Water Operator II (Production) | Marana, AZ | 06/15/2025 | $46,540 |
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