Best cities for a water operator
The best cities for water operators are Toledo, OH, Cleveland, OH, and Las Vegas, NV, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for water operators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for water operators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a water operator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for water operators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for water operators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a water operator. While the absolute best city for water operators is Toledo, OH, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for water operators in 2024.
If you're looking for a water operator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for water operators in 2025
1. Toledo, OH
Total water operator jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $47,400 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $64,000 Location quotient: 10.26 2. Cleveland, OH
Total water operator jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $47,734 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $65,000 Location quotient: 3.83 3. Las Vegas, NV
Total water operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $50,329 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $68,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. North Las Vegas, NV
Total water operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $50,268 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $68,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Anchorage, AK
Total water operator jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $58,329 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $64,000 Location quotient: 3.01 6. Reno, NV
Total water operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $52,170 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $70,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Seattle, WA
Total water operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $71,002 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $89,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Glendale, AZ
Total water operator jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $46,635 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $62,000 Location quotient: 5.52 9. Mesa, AZ
Total water operator jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $46,472 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $62,000 Location quotient: 12.93 10. Columbus, OH
Total water operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $45,856 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $63,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for water operators
- Toledo, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Las Vegas, NV
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Anchorage, AK
- Reno, NV
- Seattle, WA
- Glendale, AZ
- Mesa, AZ
- Columbus, OH
- (3 water operator jobs)
- (4 water operator jobs)
- (0 water operator jobs)
- (0 water operator jobs)
- (1 water operator jobs)
- (0 water operator jobs)
- (0 water operator jobs)
- (1 water operator jobs)
- (4 water operator jobs)
- (0 water operator jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a water operator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toledo, OH | $47,400 | $34,000 | 278,508 | 3 |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH | $47,734 | $34,000 | 385,809 | 4 |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $50,329 | $37,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 4 | North Las Vegas, NV | $50,268 | $37,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 5 | Anchorage, AK | $58,329 | $52,000 | 298,192 | 1 |
| 6 | Reno, NV | $52,170 | $38,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $71,002 | $56,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 8 | Glendale, AZ | $46,635 | $34,000 | 245,895 | 1 |
| 9 | Mesa, AZ | $46,472 | $34,000 | 484,587 | 4 |
| 10 | Columbus, OH | $45,856 | $33,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 11 | Henderson, NV | $50,231 | $36,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 12 | Minneapolis, MN | $51,445 | $39,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 13 | Milwaukee, WI | $45,411 | $34,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 14 | Saint Paul, MN | $51,433 | $39,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 15 | Scottsdale, AZ | $46,559 | $34,000 | 246,645 | 2 |
| 16 | Madison, WI | $45,256 | $34,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 17 | Portland, OR | $54,677 | $42,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 18 | Jersey City, NJ | $56,032 | $39,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 19 | Newark, NJ | $56,026 | $39,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 20 | Fort Wayne, IN | $45,032 | $33,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 21 | Omaha, NE | $47,121 | $35,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 22 | Phoenix, AZ | $46,612 | $34,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 23 | Lincoln, NE | $46,683 | $35,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 24 | Cincinnati, OH | $44,207 | $32,000 | 298,800 | 2 |
| 25 | Chandler, AZ | $46,492 | $34,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 26 | Gilbert, AZ | $46,465 | $34,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 27 | Boston, MA | $50,352 | $37,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 28 | Tucson, AZ | $46,039 | $34,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 29 | Chicago, IL | $49,337 | $36,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 30 | Indianapolis, IN | $43,341 | $31,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 31 | San Francisco, CA | $53,079 | $38,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 32 | Oakland, CA | $53,004 | $38,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 33 | Fresno, CA | $51,985 | $37,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 34 | Fremont, CA | $52,871 | $38,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 35 | Bakersfield, CA | $51,549 | $37,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 36 | Sacramento, CA | $52,818 | $38,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 37 | Detroit, MI | $42,542 | $31,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 38 | Philadelphia, PA | $41,720 | $29,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 39 | San Jose, CA | $52,793 | $38,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 40 | Stockton, CA | $52,706 | $38,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 41 | Los Angeles, CA | $51,143 | $37,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 42 | Long Beach, CA | $51,036 | $37,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 43 | Aurora, CO | $46,064 | $35,000 | 361,710 | 3 |
| 44 | Anaheim, CA | $50,963 | $37,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 45 | Santa Ana, CA | $50,933 | $37,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 46 | Colorado Springs, CO | $45,548 | $34,000 | 465,101 | 2 |
| 47 | Pittsburgh, PA | $40,877 | $29,000 | 303,625 | 2 |
| 48 | Irvine, CA | $50,886 | $37,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 49 | Riverside, CA | $50,808 | $37,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 50 | San Diego, CA | $50,446 | $37,000 | 1,406,630 | - |
Highest paying cities for water operators
| Rank | City | Avg. water operator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue, WA | $70,960 |
| 2 | Portland, OR | $54,677 |
| 3 | East Palo Alto, CA | $52,932 |
| 4 | Prior Lake, MN | $51,267 |
| 5 | Lynn, MA | $50,230 |
| 6 | Woonsocket, RI | $49,539 |
| 7 | Salt Lake City, UT | $48,028 |
| 8 | Peoria, IL | $47,809 |
| 9 | Cleveland, OH | $47,734 |
| 10 | Bozeman, MT | $46,901 |
| 11 | Avondale, AZ | $46,647 |
| 12 | Thornton, CO | $46,224 |
| 13 | Meridian, ID | $42,881 |
| 14 | Sioux Falls, SD | $42,488 |
| 15 | Wentzville, MO | $38,329 |
| 16 | Columbia, SC | $37,182 |
| 17 | Fort Myers, FL | $36,550 |
| 18 | Charlotte, NC | $36,016 |
| 19 | Henderson, KY | $34,704 |
| 20 | Santa Fe, NM | $34,463 |
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Updated January 8, 2025