Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary Trend (2011–2024)
Historical salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median Salary in 2024
$58,260
↑ 39.4% since 2011
Median Salary Over Time
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Median Annual Salary
Employment Over Time
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Total Employment
Key Insights
📈Salaries grew 39.4% since 2011 ($41,780 → $58,260)
🏆Peak year: 2024 at $58,260
🦠COVID impact: Salary rose 2.8% from 2019 to 2020, likely reflecting workforce composition changes.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately -5%
Year-by-Year Salary Data
| Year | Median Salary | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $58,260 | +6.1% |
| 2023 | $54,890 | +6.4% |
| 2022 | $51,600 | +7.8% |
| 2021 | $47,880 | -2.5% |
| 2020 | $49,090 | +2.8% |
| 2019 | $47,760 | +2.1% |
| 2018 | $46,780 | +1.4% |
| 2017 | $46,150 | +0.9% |
| 2016 | $45,760 | +2.2% |
| 2015 | $44,790 | +1.6% |
| 2014 | $44,100 | +2.1% |
| 2013 | $43,200 | +1.0% |
| 2012 | $42,760 | +2.3% |
| 2011 | $41,780 | — |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2011–2024. All figures are annual median wages in nominal dollars.