Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Nebraska
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Nebraska earn a median of $61,220 a year ($29.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 740 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,250 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $60,020. Nebraska ranks 24th of 50 states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators pay. There are 0.72 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $60,380, close to the median.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Nebraska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| 25th percentile | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| Median | $61,220 | $29.43 |
| 75th percentile | $67,940 | $32.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,250 | $36.66 |
| Average (mean) | $60,380 | $29.03 |
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 | $5,101.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,550.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,354.62 |
| Weekly | $1,177.31 |
| Hourly | $29.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,220 salary, see how much house you can afford in Nebraska at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in cities in Nebraska
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | $67,650 | 70 |
| Grand Island, NE | $62,920 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $62,660 | 240 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $59,760 | 80 |
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.
Related jobs in Nebraska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $98,210 | $47.22 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $64,930 | $31.22 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $87,790 | $42.21 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $98,570 | $47.39 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $48,220 | $23.18 |
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operator | $108,650 | $52.24 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $47,580 | $22.88 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,470 | $21.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $72,200 | $34.71 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $48,910 | $23.52 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $52,220 | $25.10 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $51,270 | $24.65 |
| Printing Press Operator | $42,070 | $20.23 |
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 Nebraska?
The median salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Nebraska is $61,220 a year, or $29.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Nebraska?
The top 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Nebraska earn at least $76,250 a year. The top 25% earn $67,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Nebraska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,620 a year, and a quarter of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $50,670 or less.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in Nebraska?
About 740 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in Nebraska, not counting the self-employed.