Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Boulder, CO
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $74,270 a year ($35.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,490 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $60,020. Pay here is about the same as the Colorado statewide median of $74,200. There are 0.89 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,550, close to the median.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,760 | $25.85 |
| 25th percentile | $63,510 | $30.54 |
| Median | $74,270 | $35.71 |
| 75th percentile | $79,950 | $38.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,490 | $41.10 |
| Average (mean) | $72,550 | $34.88 |
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 | $6,189.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,094.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,856.54 |
| Weekly | $1,428.27 |
| Hourly | $35.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,270 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $76,150 | 960 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $73,920 | 60 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $73,330 | 170 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $65,970 | 230 |
| Greeley, CO | $65,840 | 220 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $57,500 | $27.64 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,610 | $22.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $84,880 | $40.81 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $60,400 | $29.04 |
| Food Batchmaker | $43,090 | $20.72 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $55,220 | $26.55 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,820 | $20.11 |
| Baker | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $53,340 | $25.64 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $65,040 | $31.27 |
| Machinist | $63,990 | $30.76 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $51,230 | $24.63 |
| Printing Press Operator | $48,910 | $23.51 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $39,430 | $18.96 |
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 Boulder, CO?
The median salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Boulder, CO metro area is $74,270 a year, or $35.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $85,490 a year. The top 25% earn $79,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,760 a year, and a quarter of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $63,510 or less.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in Boulder, CO?
About 170 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.