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Occupation · SOC 51-8031

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

There are 128,490 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $60,020 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
128,490
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$60,020
Median pay a year
Middle half: $48,040–$74,780
10,000
Annual openings
10-year change: −5.7%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 368 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $83,320 · LCA filings 03,690$83,3200
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $63,660 · LCA filings 02,570$63,6600
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $82,460 · LCA filings 02,230$82,4600
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $51,940 · LCA filings 01,980$51,9400
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $51,780 · LCA filings 01,910$51,7800
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $79,290 · LCA filings 01,770$79,2900
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $66,680 · LCA filings 01,650$66,6800
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $73,600 · LCA filings 01,630$73,6000
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $62,960 · LCA filings 01,610$62,9600
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $82,780 · LCA filings 01,580$82,7800

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 1,040 · LCA filings 0$125,1601,0400
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 460 · LCA filings 0$108,1904600
Vallejo, CAEmployment 200 · LCA filings 0$106,1502000
Napa, CAEmployment 100 · LCA filings 0$101,5401000
Fairbanks–College, AKEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$99,840400

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $69,742 · Level III $81,848 · Level IV $93,933$57,658$69,742$81,848$93,933
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $57,117 · Level III $64,293 · Level IV $71,490$49,920$57,117$64,293$71,490
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $73,382 · Level III $86,320 · Level IV $99,278$60,424$73,382$86,320$99,278
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $48,048 · Level III $55,266 · Level IV $62,483$40,830$48,048$55,266$62,483
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $49,067 · Level III $54,933 · Level IV $60,798$43,202$49,067$54,933$60,798
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $67,101 · Level III $79,955 · Level IV $92,789$54,267$67,101$79,955$92,789
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $59,509 · Level III $67,954 · Level IV $76,419$51,043$59,509$67,954$76,419
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $63,315 · Level III $73,362 · Level IV $83,387$53,290$63,315$73,362$83,387
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $56,805 · Level III $66,227 · Level IV $75,629$47,403$56,805$66,227$75,629
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $72,613 · Level III $85,176 · Level IV $97,760$60,029$72,613$85,176$97,760

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Environmental Control Technologies/TechniciansCIP 15.05Varies by program112Varies by program

See Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in every metro area

All 368 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology