Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Ohio
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Ohio earn a median of $59,170 a year ($28.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,200 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $60,020. Ohio ranks 30th of 50 states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators pay. There are 1.1 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,990, close to the median.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,350 | $21.80 |
| 25th percentile | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| Median | $59,170 | $28.45 |
| 75th percentile | $65,670 | $31.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,200 | $36.16 |
| Average (mean) | $58,990 | $28.36 |
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 | $4,930.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,465.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,275.77 |
| Weekly | $1,137.88 |
| Hourly | $28.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio 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 Ohio
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lima, OH | $64,310 | 50 |
| Columbus, OH | $63,700 | 730 |
| Cleveland, OH | $63,260 | 1,020 |
| Sandusky, OH | $62,790 | 70 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $61,460 | 960 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $61,050 | 410 |
| Akron, OH | $60,410 | 240 |
| Toledo, OH | $58,740 | 430 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $52,150 | 210 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $50,660 | 290 |
| Mansfield, OH | $50,610 | 80 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $48,830 | 110 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $47,330 | 140 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $47,210 | 200 |
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 Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $105,150 | $50.55 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $75,470 | $36.29 |
| Power Plant Operator | $104,160 | $50.08 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $82,130 | $39.49 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $100,320 | $48.23 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $67,580 | $32.49 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,720 | $21.98 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,360 | $22.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $72,160 | $34.69 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $49,160 | $23.63 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $50,340 | $24.20 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,310 | $20.82 |
| Machinist | $57,940 | $27.86 |
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 Ohio?
The median salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Ohio is $59,170 a year, or $28.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Ohio?
The top 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Ohio earn at least $75,200 a year. The top 25% earn $65,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,350 a year, and a quarter of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $48,980 or less.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in Ohio?
About 5,870 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.