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Water system operator demographics and statistics in the US

Water system operator demographics research summary. Zippia estimates water system operator demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our water system operator estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about water system operators after extensive research and analysis:

  • There are over 4,011 water system operators currently employed in the United States.
  • 8.5% of all water system operators are women, while 91.5% are men.
  • The average water system operator age is 47 years old.
  • The most common ethnicity of water system operators is White (71.2%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (12.3%), Black or African American (7.5%) and Unknown (4.6%).
  • Water system operators are most in-demand in Hilliard, OH.
  • Boston, MA pays an annual average wage of $56,406, the highest in the US.
  • In 2022, women water system operators earned 101% of what men earned.
  • Massachusetts is the best state for water system operators to live.
  • Water system operators are 44% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to government companies.
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Water system operator demographics by:

Water system operator gender statistics

8.5% of water system operators are women and 91.5% of water system operators are men.
  • Male, 91.5%
  • Female, 8.5%

Water system operator gender ratio

GenderPercentages
Male91.5%
Female8.5%

Water system operator gender pay gap

Women earn $1.01 for every $1 earned by men

male-income
Male income
$41,093
female-income
Female income
$41,684

Water system operator gender ratio over time

This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in water system operator positions over time. Currently, 8.5% of water system operators are female.
Male
Female
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

Water system operator gender ratio by year

YearMaleFemale
201090.32%9.68%
201191.02%8.98%
201291.63%8.37%
201392.75%7.25%
201490.00%10.00%
201590.60%9.40%
201691.94%8.06%
201790.33%9.67%
201888.30%11.70%
201989.17%10.83%
202086.50%13.50%
202191.48%8.52%

Water system operator related jobs gender ratio

Job titleMaleFemale
Water System Operator91%9%
Male
Female
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%

Water system operator demographics by race

The most common ethnicity among water system operators is White, which makes up 71.2% of all water system operators. Comparatively, 12.3% of water system operators are Hispanic or Latino and 7.5% of water system operators are Black or African American.
  • White, 71.2%
  • Hispanic or Latino, 12.3%
  • Black or African American, 7.5%
  • Unknown, 4.6%
  • American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.6%
  • Asian, 1.8%

Water system operator race

Water system operator racePercentages
White71.2%
Hispanic or Latino12.3%
Black or African American7.5%
Unknown4.6%
American Indian and Alaska Native2.6%
Asian1.8%

Water system operator race and ethnicity over time

See how water system operator racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.

Water system operator race and ethnicity by year

YearWhiteBlack or African AmericanAsianHispanic or Latino
201074.17%9.92%0.59%10.68%
201174.39%10.31%1.11%9.80%
201275.85%8.82%1.53%9.97%
201373.71%9.56%1.18%10.36%
201475.09%8.59%1.40%11.40%
201574.20%7.55%1.83%11.72%
201673.79%9.28%1.74%11.49%
201775.88%8.21%1.46%10.73%
201877.08%7.81%1.48%9.75%
201976.79%7.53%1.17%10.15%
202071.81%7.03%2.14%11.10%
202171.19%7.54%1.83%12.26%

Water system operator wage gap by race

According to our data, asian water system operators have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Unknown water system operators have the lowest average salary at $38,921.
$44,000
$43,000
$42,000
$41,000
$40,000
$39,000
$38,000
Unknown
White
Black or African American
Asian
Hispanic or Latino
EthnicitySalary
Unknown$38,921
White$40,985
Black or African American$41,605
Asian$43,745
Hispanic or Latino$40,362

Average water system operator age

See how the average age of water system operators varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female

Water system operator age by race and gender

RaceMale ageFemale age
Unknown45
White4843.5
Black or African American50
American Indian and Alaska Native42.5
Hispanic or Latino46

Water system operator age breakdown

The average age of water system operators is 40+ years years old, representing 71% of the water system operator population.

40+ years

30-40 years

20-30 years


Water system operator age breakdown

Water System Operator YearsPercentages
40+ years71%
30-40 years24%
20-30 years5%

Water system operator educational attainment

The most common degree for water system operators is bachelor's degree, with 40% of water system operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 23% and associate degree degree at 23%.
  • Bachelor's, 40%
  • Associate, 23%
  • High School Diploma, 23%
  • Master's, 1%
  • Other Degrees, 13%

Water system operators by degree level

Water system operator degreePercentages
Bachelor's40%
Associate23%
High School Diploma23%
Master's1%
Other Degrees13%

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Water system operator wage gap by degree level

According to the data, water system operators with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $43,955 annually. With a Associate degree, water system operators earn a median annual income of $43,599 compared to $40,622 for water system operators with an High School Diploma degree.
$45,000
$44,000
$43,000
$42,000
$41,000
$40,000
High School Diploma or Less
Bachelor's Degree
Some College/ Associate Degree
EducationSalary
High School Diploma or Less$40,622
Bachelor's Degree$43,955
Some College/ Associate Degree$43,599

Water system operator employment statistics

Most water system operators work for a private in the government industry.

Company size where water system operators work

Below, you can see the size of companies where water system operators work.

< 50 employees

50 - 100 employees

100 - 500 employees

500 - 1,000 employees

1,000 - 10,000 employees

> 10,000

Water system operator jobs by employer size

Company sizePercentages
< 50 employees10%
50 - 100 employees28%
100 - 500 employees26%
500 - 1,000 employees7%
1,000 - 10,000 employees21%
> 10,000 employees9%

Water system operator jobs by company type

Employees with the water system operator job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most water system operators prefer to work at private companies over government companies.

Education

Public

Private

Government

Water system operator jobs by sector

Company typePercentages
Education7%
Public9%
Private44%
Government39%

Water system operator jobs by industry

The most common industries for water system operators are government, professional and utilities.

Government

Professional

Utilities

Manufacturing

Education

Water system operator turnover and employment statistics

Water system operator unemployment rate over time

The unemployment rate for water system operators between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Water system operator unemployment rate by year

YearWater system operator unemployment rate
20102.49%
20113.19%
20122.40%
20132.30%
20142.09%
20151.91%
20161.70%
20170.98%
20181.09%
20191.23%
20202.69%
20211.40%

Average water system operator tenure

The average water system operator stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 188 water system operators resumes in Zippia's database.

Less than one year

1-2 years

3-4 years

5-7 years

8-10 years

11+ years

Water system operator tenure statistics

Number of yearsPercentages
Less than 1 year14%
1-2 years29%
3-4 years15%
5-7 years18%
8-10 years7%
11+ years17%

Water system operator LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs

Review the percent of water system operators that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
Job titleLGBTJob openings
Boiler Operators Supervisor4.19%1,411
Water System Operator4.62%-
Ice Plant Operator4.80%35,534
Biofuels Production Associate10.89%51,641

Similar water system operator jobs LGBT demographics

ProfessionPercentages of LGBT Job openings
Boiler Operators Supervisor4.19%1,411
Ice Plant Operator4.80%35,534
Biofuels Production Associate10.89%51,641

Foreign languages spoken by water system operators

  • Spanish, 66.7%
  • Carrier, 33.3%

Water system operator languages spoken

Foreign languagePercentages
Spanish66.7%
Carrier33.3%

Water system operator jobs

Water system operator location demographics

The amount you can make as a water system operator can depend on where you live. For example, the highest salary of water system operators is $53,939. Use our chart to find out where that salary is located.

Where do water system operators earn the most?

Water system operators earn the most in Washington, where the average water system operator salary is $61,746. The map here shows where water system operators earn the highest salaries in the U.S. The darker areas across the 50 states highlight the highest salaries.
Average salary

Which city has the most Water System Operators?

By looking through more than 188 resumes, we found that the most popular places for water system operators are Fresno, CA and Stockton, CA.
Number of Water System Operators

Water system operator jobs by state

RankStateNumber of jobsAverage salary
1Massachusetts1,271$56,473
2California1,174$49,024
3Maryland1,169$44,893
4New Jersey851$51,048
5Texas666$32,717
6Virginia570$33,403
7Florida417$38,067
8Colorado280$39,887
9Pennsylvania275$42,934
10Arizona273$39,518
11North Carolina267$34,835
12Washington264$61,746
13Ohio219$36,649
14New York212$42,792
15Georgia210$32,200
16District of Columbia202$43,552
17Alabama202$34,891
18Illinois189$44,270
19Michigan177$38,826
20Rhode Island154$45,932
21Minnesota141$39,368
22Indiana135$40,143
23Oregon131$47,456
24South Carolina126$32,659
25Tennessee124$34,532
26Missouri112$35,471
27Alaska108$50,721
28Iowa106$38,726
29Wisconsin105$41,673
30Utah101$34,981
31Hawaii95$38,137
32Kansas73$36,159
33Connecticut71$46,608
34Mississippi71$30,140
35New Mexico60$30,953
36Louisiana60$30,791
37Nevada55$44,721
38New Hampshire55$42,653
39Kentucky55$33,043
40Oklahoma51$29,410
41Idaho47$37,358
42Arkansas46$28,778
43North Dakota44$49,698
44Nebraska40$42,543
45Delaware37$46,014
46Montana34$42,120
47West Virginia28$41,587
48Vermont27$55,882
49South Dakota24$38,773
50Wyoming22$39,820
51Maine16$60,160

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