Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Oregon
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Oregon earn a median of $69,720 a year ($33.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,880 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $60,020. Oregon ranks 8th of 50 states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators pay. There are 0.63 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $70,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,270 | $24.17 |
| 25th percentile | $60,670 | $29.17 |
| Median | $69,720 | $33.52 |
| 75th percentile | $80,540 | $38.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,880 | $42.25 |
| Average (mean) | $70,620 | $33.95 |
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 | $5,810 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,905 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,681.54 |
| Weekly | $1,340.77 |
| Hourly | $33.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $69,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in Oregon 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 Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $83,860 | 450 |
| Medford, OR | $73,270 | 40 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $70,250 | 80 |
| Albany, OR | $67,060 | 40 |
| Salem, OR | $65,270 | 100 |
| Bend, OR | $62,310 | 100 |
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 Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $137,490 | $66.10 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $67,630 | $32.51 |
| Power Plant Operator | $109,830 | $52.80 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $71,900 | $34.57 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $87,110 | $41.88 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $109,760 | $52.77 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,910 | $22.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,580 | $35.38 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,120 | $26.02 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,450 | $28.58 |
| Baker | $39,500 | $18.99 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,640 | $22.90 |
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 Oregon?
The median salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Oregon is $69,720 a year, or $33.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Oregon?
The top 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Oregon earn at least $87,880 a year. The top 25% earn $80,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,270 a year, and a quarter of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $60,670 or less.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in Oregon?
About 1,240 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.