Best cities for a water plant operator
The best cities for water plant operators are Stockton, CA, San Francisco, CA, and Seattle, WA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for water plant operators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for water plant operators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a water plant operator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for water plant operators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for water plant operators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a water plant operator. While the absolute best city for water plant operators is Stockton, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for water plant operators in 2024.
If you're looking for a water plant operator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for water plant operators in 2026
1. Stockton, CA
Total water plant operator jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $76,807 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $113,000 Location quotient: 39.20 2. San Francisco, CA
Total water plant operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $77,641 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $115,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Seattle, WA
Total water plant operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $78,859 Lowest 10 percent warn: $59,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Oakland, CA
Total water plant operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $77,472 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $115,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Fremont, CA
Total water plant operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $77,150 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $114,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Sacramento, CA
Total water plant operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $77,001 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $113,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. San Jose, CA
Total water plant operator jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $76,938 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $114,000 Location quotient: 0.39 8. Reno, NV
Total water plant operator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $57,561 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $83,000 Location quotient: 7.40 9. Los Angeles, CA
Total water plant operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $70,359 Lowest 10 percent warn: $48,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $101,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Fresno, CA
Total water plant operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $74,847 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $110,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for water plant operators
- Stockton, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Oakland, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Reno, NV
- Los Angeles, CA
- Fresno, CA
- (5 water plant operator jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for a water plant operator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stockton, CA | $76,807 | $51,000 | 307,072 | 5 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $77,641 | $52,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $78,859 | $59,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 4 | Oakland, CA | $77,472 | $52,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 5 | Fremont, CA | $77,150 | $51,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $77,001 | $52,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $76,938 | $51,000 | 1,025,350 | 1 |
| 8 | Reno, NV | $57,561 | $39,000 | 245,255 | 2 |
| 9 | Los Angeles, CA | $70,359 | $48,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 10 | Fresno, CA | $74,847 | $50,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 11 | Long Beach, CA | $69,822 | $48,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 12 | Cleveland, OH | $52,011 | $35,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 13 | Anaheim, CA | $69,667 | $48,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 14 | Anchorage, AK | $64,444 | $56,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 15 | Bakersfield, CA | $72,699 | $49,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 16 | Santa Ana, CA | $69,512 | $48,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 17 | Toledo, OH | $51,689 | $35,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 18 | Irvine, CA | $69,345 | $48,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 19 | Riverside, CA | $69,345 | $48,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 20 | Columbus, OH | $50,165 | $34,000 | 860,090 | 10 |
| 21 | San Diego, CA | $67,968 | $47,000 | 1,406,630 | 1 |
| 22 | Portland, OR | $60,469 | $44,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 23 | Minneapolis, MN | $56,150 | $41,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 24 | Chula Vista, CA | $67,807 | $47,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 25 | Saint Paul, MN | $56,142 | $41,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 26 | Cincinnati, OH | $48,699 | $34,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 27 | Las Vegas, NV | $53,654 | $37,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 28 | Fort Wayne, IN | $49,065 | $34,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 29 | Milwaukee, WI | $49,564 | $35,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 30 | North Las Vegas, NV | $53,579 | $37,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 31 | Madison, WI | $49,344 | $35,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 32 | Jersey City, NJ | $61,063 | $41,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 33 | Henderson, NV | $53,376 | $37,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 34 | Newark, NJ | $61,055 | $41,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 35 | Glendale, AZ | $48,081 | $34,000 | 245,895 | 5 |
| 36 | Omaha, NE | $50,299 | $36,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 37 | Lincoln, NE | $49,737 | $36,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 38 | Mesa, AZ | $47,906 | $34,000 | 484,587 | 5 |
| 39 | Chicago, IL | $53,710 | $38,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 40 | Phoenix, AZ | $48,063 | $34,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 41 | Boston, MA | $55,495 | $39,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 42 | Denver, CO | $55,133 | $40,000 | 693,060 | - |
| 43 | Scottsdale, AZ | $48,032 | $34,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 44 | Indianapolis, IN | $47,378 | $33,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 45 | Aurora, CO | $55,052 | $40,000 | 361,710 | - |
| 46 | Chandler, AZ | $47,912 | $34,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 47 | Tucson, AZ | $47,426 | $34,000 | 530,706 | 1 |
| 48 | Colorado Springs, CO | $54,341 | $40,000 | 465,101 | - |
| 49 | Gilbert, AZ | $47,888 | $34,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 50 | Detroit, MI | $46,369 | $32,000 | 672,795 | - |
Highest paying cities for water plant operators
| Rank | City | Avg. water plant operator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stockton, CA | $76,807 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $59,209 |
| 3 | Reno, NV | $57,561 |
| 4 | Loveland, CO | $55,765 |
| 5 | Hartford, CT | $55,122 |
| 6 | Potomac, MD | $53,875 |
| 7 | Moline, IL | $52,790 |
| 8 | Akron, OH | $51,764 |
| 9 | Tooele, UT | $51,668 |
| 10 | Iowa City, IA | $51,430 |
| 11 | Glendale, AZ | $48,081 |
| 12 | Harrisonburg, VA | $45,788 |
| 13 | Rock Hill, SC | $41,274 |
| 14 | Gainesville, FL | $40,180 |
| 15 | Concord, NC | $39,833 |
| 16 | Odessa, TX | $36,791 |
| 17 | Edmond, OK | $34,082 |
| 18 | Savannah, GA | $33,416 |
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Updated January 8, 2025