Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Texas
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Texas earn a median of $49,460 a year ($23.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,520 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,270 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $60,020. Texas ranks 41st of 50 states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators pay. There are 0.75 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| 25th percentile | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Median | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| 75th percentile | $60,810 | $29.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,270 | $33.78 |
| Average (mean) | $51,920 | $24.96 |
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 | $4,121.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,060.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,902.31 |
| Weekly | $951.15 |
| Hourly | $23.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Texas 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 Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $61,610 | 850 |
| Waco, TX | $60,930 | 140 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $54,700 | 120 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $52,510 | 170 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $51,940 | 1,980 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $51,780 | 1,910 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $51,630 | 600 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | $50,150 | 100 |
| El Paso, TX | $50,030 | 270 |
| Tyler, TX | $49,860 | 100 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $49,770 | 80 |
| Midland, TX | $47,930 | 220 |
| Lubbock, TX | $47,320 | 80 |
| Victoria, TX | $47,280 | 30 |
| Longview, TX | $47,190 | 130 |
| Abilene, TX | $46,660 | 90 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $46,170 | 190 |
| Laredo, TX | $45,150 | 70 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $44,840 | 130 |
| Amarillo, TX | $43,220 | 80 |
| San Angelo, TX | $42,640 | 70 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $41,470 | 180 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $39,260 | 40 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $37,800 | 330 |
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 Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $84,100 | $40.43 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $102,750 | $49.40 |
| Power Plant Operator | $102,510 | $49.28 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $102,890 | $49.46 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $38,320 | $18.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $70,140 | $33.72 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,340 | $25.64 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,950 | $18.73 |
| Machinist | $59,180 | $28.45 |
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 Texas?
The median salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Texas is $49,460 a year, or $23.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Texas?
The top 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Texas earn at least $70,270 a year. The top 25% earn $60,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,550 a year, and a quarter of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $41,740 or less.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in Texas?
About 10,520 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.