Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Appleton, WI
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median of $64,820 a year ($31.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,690 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $60,020. Pay here is 2% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $63,550. There are 0.71 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Appleton, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,970 | $29.31 |
| 25th percentile | $64,520 | $31.02 |
| Median | $64,820 | $31.16 |
| 75th percentile | $75,680 | $36.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,690 | $37.83 |
| Average (mean) | $68,530 | $32.95 |
Half of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,401.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,700.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,493.08 |
| Weekly | $1,246.54 |
| Hourly | $31.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,820 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $77,170 | 1,010 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $74,880 | 50 |
| Madison, WI | $71,850 | 150 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $69,440 | 50 |
| Green Bay, WI | $67,190 | 140 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $66,980 | 440 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $66,450 | 80 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $65,640 | 180 |
| Kenosha, WI | $64,650 | 30 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $64,290 | 50 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $63,550 | 80 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $61,660 | 60 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $60,140 | 40 |
| Wausau, WI | $59,730 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $81,770 |
| Nevada | $81,440 |
| Washington | $80,800 |
| Connecticut | $78,820 |
| New Jersey | $78,760 |
| Minnesota | $74,670 |
| Colorado | $74,200 |
| Oregon | $69,720 |
| Massachusetts | $68,550 |
| Illinois | $67,810 |
See Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Food Batchmaker | $49,390 | $23.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,240 | $37.14 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,930 | $24.01 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,920 | $28.33 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| Machinist | $60,350 | $29.02 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $53,560 | $25.75 |
| Printing Press Operator | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $53,390 | $25.67 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $43,710 | $21.01 |
| Baker | $36,160 | $17.39 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Appleton, WI?
The median salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Appleton, WI metro area is $64,820 a year, or $31.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Appleton, WI?
The top 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Appleton, WI metro area earn at least $78,690 a year. The top 25% earn $75,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Appleton, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,970 a year, and a quarter of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $64,520 or less.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in Appleton, WI?
About 90 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in the Appleton, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.