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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in California
Considering working as a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in California? Below are the key facts. Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
What do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Make in California?
The water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators working in California, the typical annual salary is $82,100 per year (or roughly $39.47/hour).Pay can range from $52,510 at the 10th percentile to $123,870 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52,510 | $25.24 |
| 25th percentile | $64,850 | $31.18 |
| Median (50th) | $82,100 | $39.47 |
| 75th percentile | $102,510 | $49.29 |
| 90th percentile | $123,870 | $59.55 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in California nationwide is 0.76, meaning fewer water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn a median of $48,896 per year ($23.51/hour), exceeding the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 614,799 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the U.S.. In California alone, about 11,260 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 2,110 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.
Top California Metros for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
The metro areas below employ the most water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 2,070 | $80,690 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,580 | $82,500 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,160 | $123,390 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 900 | $79,390 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 890 | $84,960 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 440 | $63,550 |
| Fresno, CA | 420 | $71,750 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 400 | $106,440 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 300 | $76,240 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 260 | $83,260 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 240 | $79,830 |
| Modesto, CA | 220 | $82,790 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 220 | $83,630 |
| Vallejo, CA | 190 | $101,670 |
| Visalia, CA | 190 | $64,710 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 180 | $80,480 |
| Salinas, CA | 140 | $90,610 |
| Redding, CA | 130 | $75,110 |
| Chico, CA | 110 | $75,280 |
| El Centro, CA | 100 | $75,790 |
| Merced, CA | 90 | $78,320 |
| Napa, CA | 90 | $99,450 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 90 | $85,790 |
| Yuba City, CA | 90 | $80,810 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 70 | $61,360 |
Top States for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Employment
These states have the highest employment of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 11,260 |
| Texas | 10,340 |
| Florida | 7,560 |
| Ohio | 5,550 |
| New York | 5,270 |
| Pennsylvania | 5,190 |
| Illinois | 3,870 |
| Arizona | 3,470 |
| North Carolina | 3,420 |
| Virginia | 3,390 |
| Indiana | 3,300 |
| Kentucky | 3,150 |
| Tennessee | 3,090 |
| Alabama | 2,950 |
| Georgia | 2,880 |
| South Carolina | 2,800 |
| Oklahoma | 2,750 |
| Michigan | 2,720 |
| Missouri | 2,700 |
| Massachusetts | 2,480 |
Highest-Paying States for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
The highest-paying states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $82,100 |
| Nevada | $79,140 |
| Washington | $78,810 |
| Alaska | $76,910 |
| New Jersey | $75,200 |
| Connecticut | $74,450 |
| Minnesota | $70,470 |
| Colorado | $68,220 |
| New Hampshire | $66,240 |
| Hawaii | $65,800 |
Skills
Top water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators typically:
- Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
- Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
- Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
- Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
- Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
- Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
- Clean and maintain tanks, filter beds, and other work areas, using hand tools and power tools.
- Maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
Work Activities
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Processing Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Getting Information
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
Related Careers
Other careers like water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators include:
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
- Geothermal Technicians
Also Known As
Basin Tender, Biosolids Management Technician (Biosolids Management Tech), Clarifying Plant Operator, Disposal Operator, Disposal Plant Operator, Drinking Water Technician (Drinking Water Tech), Filter Tender, Filterer, Filtration Operator, Filtration Plant Operator, Industrial Waste Treatment Technician (Industrial Waste Treatment Tech), Liquid Waste Treatment Plant Operator, On-Site Wastewater Systems Technician (On-Site Wastewater Systems Tech), Plant Operator, Process Operator (Process Op).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-8031.00
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