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The role of a Water Technician involves critical tasks such as maintaining water quality, setting up water systems, and ensuring compliance with local regulations. As of October 2025, the average annual salary stands at $38,723, with most technicians earning between $30,000 and $47,000 depending on experience and location.
Experience Level: Entry-level positions typically start around $30,000, while those with several years can earn upwards of $45,000. Moreover, technicians who specialize in certain areas or hold certifications may command higher salaries.
Salary expectations can differ significantly across states. For example, technicians in California often earn more due to the higher cost of living, with averages around $45,000. In contrast, states like Alabama may offer lower salaries, averaging $35,000.
There are numerous job openings nationwide for Water Technicians, with demand expected to grow as water quality regulations become stricter. Exploring various companies and their offers can ultimately lead to better salaries and career advancement.
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| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level water technician | $35,300 | $16.97 |
| Mid-level water technician | $47,900 | $23.01 |
| Senior-level water technician | $51,200 | $24.59 |
The highest-paying states for water technicians are Idaho, Washington, and Maine. The lowest average water technician salary states are Kentucky, Georgia, and Louisiana.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $52,507 | $25.24 |
| 2 | Vermont | $48,532 | $23.33 |
| 3 | Alaska | $46,971 | $22.58 |
| 4 | Nevada | $43,301 | $20.82 |
| 5 | New York | $43,677 | $21.00 |
| 6 | Idaho | $54,441 | $26.17 |
| 7 | Colorado | $41,605 | $20.00 |
| 8 | Delaware | $41,848 | $20.12 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $41,449 | $19.93 |
| 10 | Washington | $53,067 | $25.51 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $42,669 | $20.51 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $43,022 | $20.68 |
| 13 | West Virginia | $38,185 | $18.36 |
| 14 | Utah | $39,496 | $18.99 |
| 15 | Iowa | $38,663 | $18.59 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $41,825 | $20.11 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | $38,781 | $18.64 |
| 18 | California | $49,031 | $23.57 |
| 19 | Illinois | $39,975 | $19.22 |
| 20 | Massachusetts | $41,144 | $19.78 |
| 21 | Ohio | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| 22 | Nebraska | $38,541 | $18.53 |
| 23 | Florida | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| 24 | Maryland | $41,012 | $19.72 |
| 25 | Minnesota | $37,667 | $18.11 |
| 26 | Indiana | $36,392 | $17.50 |
| 27 | New Hampshire | $37,222 | $17.90 |
| 28 | Arizona | $37,068 | $17.82 |
| 29 | Oregon | $39,102 | $18.80 |
| 30 | Virginia | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| 31 | Pennsylvania | $36,458 | $17.53 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $33,130 | $15.93 |
| 33 | District of Columbia | $39,966 | $19.21 |
| 34 | Missouri | $33,187 | $15.96 |
| 35 | Wyoming | $35,892 | $17.26 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $31,341 | $15.07 |
| 37 | Alabama | $34,124 | $16.41 |
| 38 | Michigan | $34,299 | $16.49 |
| 39 | Hawaii | $37,771 | $18.16 |
| 40 | South Dakota | $33,838 | $16.27 |
| 41 | Montana | $32,679 | $15.71 |
| 42 | Kansas | $32,222 | $15.49 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $30,827 | $14.82 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $33,975 | $16.33 |
| 45 | Georgia | $30,484 | $14.66 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $27,600 | $13.27 |
| 47 | Kentucky | $30,772 | $14.79 |
| 48 | Texas | $31,323 | $15.06 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $29,384 | $14.13 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $30,136 | $14.49 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $28,474 | $13.69 |
The highest-paying cities for water technicians are Redmond, WA, Santa Cruz, CA, and Denver, CO.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redmond, WA | $53,287 | $25.62 |
| 2 | Santa Cruz, CA | $50,023 | $24.05 |
| 3 | Denver, CO | $41,591 | $20.00 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $41,154 | $19.79 |
| 5 | Melrose, MA | $41,037 | $19.73 |
| 6 | Corvallis, OR | $39,252 | $18.87 |
| 7 | Columbus, OH | $39,069 | $18.78 |
| 8 | Wauwatosa, WI | $38,764 | $18.64 |
| 9 | Arlington, VA | $38,696 | $18.60 |
| 10 | Clearwater, FL | $38,030 | $18.28 |
| 11 | Phoenix, AZ | $37,084 | $17.83 |
| 12 | Fort Wayne, IN | $36,772 | $17.68 |
| 13 | Livonia, MI | $34,321 | $16.50 |
| 14 | Huntsville, AL | $33,902 | $16.30 |
| 15 | Billings, MT | $32,326 | $15.54 |
| 16 | Austin, TX | $31,485 | $15.14 |
| 17 | Oklahoma City, OK | $30,860 | $14.84 |
| 18 | Chamblee, GA | $30,420 | $14.63 |
| 19 | Summerville, SC | $27,652 | $13.29 |
A water technician's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $53,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $53,000 | $4,417 | $25 |
| 75th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| Average | $38,723 | $3,227 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
The highest paying types of water technicians are transmission system operator, senior system operator, and auxiliary operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utility Plant Operative | $42,253 | $3,521 | $20.31 | 19,159 |
| Auxiliary Operator | $60,040 | $5,003 | $28.87 | 32,777 |
| Utility Operator | $38,693 | $3,224 | $18.60 | 67,565 |
| Plant Operator | $42,697 | $3,558 | $20.53 | 43,388 |
| Wastewater Treatment Operator | $45,618 | $3,802 | $21.93 | 32,561 |
| Water Plant Operator | $45,853 | $3,821 | $22.04 | 39,348 |
Top companies hiring water technicians now:
Water technician salaries at Vishay and BD are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average water technician salary at companies like Joby Aviation and Broadcom are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vishay | $75,590 | $36.34 |
| 2 | BD | $49,034 | $23.57 |
| 3 | Joby Aviation | $46,843 | $22.52 |
| 4 | Broadcom | $44,157 | $21.23 |
| 5 | San Antonio Water System | $43,321 | $20.83 |
| 6 | DSM Services USA Inc | $42,895 | $20.62 |
| 7 | Idahoan | $42,880 | $20.62 |
| 8 | Land O'Lakes | $42,148 | $20.26 |
| 9 | Veolia Water Tech | $42,101 | $20.24 |
| 10 | City of Baltimore | $41,488 | $19.95 |
| 11 | City of Tampa | $40,955 | $19.69 |
| 12 | Amneal Pharmaceuticals | $40,853 | $19.64 |
| 13 | BELFOR Franchise Group | $40,211 | $19.33 |
| 14 | Roto | $40,086 | $19.27 |
| 15 | Leprino Foods | $40,041 | $19.25 |
| 16 | PharmaAssociatesInc | $40,012 | $19.24 |
| 17 | MasTec | $39,852 | $19.16 |
| 18 | Ashland MA Police | $39,747 | $19.11 |
| 19 | Cambria | $39,726 | $19.10 |
| 20 | Waste Management | $39,470 | $18.98 |
The average water technician salary has risen by $5,766 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average water technician earned $32,957 annually, but today, they earn $38,723 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for water technicians over the last decade.
Compare water technician salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare water technician salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $38,700 | $18.62 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $37,700 | $18.11 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $36,900 | $17.74 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | $36,400 | $17.50 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | $36,100 | $17.35 | +2.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guarantee Restoration Services | Water Technician | Pearl, MS | 06/28/2025 | $33,392 |
| Aerotek | Water Technician | Exton, PA | 06/26/2025 | $33,392 |
| Guarantee Restoration Services | Water Technician | Baton Rouge, LA | 06/25/2025 | $33,392 |
| Carter's My Plumber | Water Jetting Technician | Indianapolis, IN | 06/21/2025 | $41,740 |
| Joby Aviation | Water Jet Technician | Santa Cruz, CA | 06/19/2025 | $41,740 |
| Leslie's Pool Supplies | Water Care Technician-Oregon Hot Tub | Beaverton, OR | 06/18/2025 | $37,566 |
| Towne Properties Associates | Water Technician | Olde West Chester, OH | 06/18/2025 | $41,740 |
| Culligan International | Residential & Commercial Water Tech Apprentice | Elizabethtown, KY | 06/18/2025 | $41,740 |
| Leslie's Pool Supplies (DBA | Water Care Technician-Oregon Hot Tub | Beaverton, OR | 06/17/2025 | $37,566 |
| Puroclean | Water Damage Technician | Woodinville, WA | 06/16/2025 | $45,914 |
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