Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Worcester, MA
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median of $67,190 a year ($32.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,890 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $60,020. Pay here is 2% lower than the Massachusetts statewide median of $68,550. There are 1.0 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Worcester, MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,610 | $25.30 |
| 25th percentile | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Median | $67,190 | $32.30 |
| 75th percentile | $77,900 | $37.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,890 | $39.85 |
| Average (mean) | $69,410 | $33.37 |
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 | $5,599.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,799.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,584.23 |
| Weekly | $1,292.12 |
| Hourly | $32.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $67,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $73,460 | 140 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $73,330 | 1,460 |
| Springfield, MA | $66,200 | 160 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $64,000 | 80 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $62,440 | 670 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $61,230 | 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 or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Worcester, MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $102,330 | $49.20 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $88,510 | $42.56 |
| Power Plant Operator | $101,420 | $48.76 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,150 | $37.57 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,820 | $21.55 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,660 | $23.88 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,390 | $22.78 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $37,370 | $17.97 |
| Machinist | $64,480 | $31.00 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $50,460 | $24.26 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Baker | $37,420 | $17.99 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,200 | $22.69 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Worcester, MA
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 Worcester, MA?
The median salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Worcester, MA metro area is $67,190 a year, or $32.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Worcester, MA?
The top 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Worcester, MA metro area earn at least $82,890 a year. The top 25% earn $77,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Worcester, MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,610 a year, and a quarter of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $61,670 or less.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in Worcester, MA?
About 360 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in the Worcester, MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.