How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make in Chico?
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Chico, CA metro area. That is $38.63 an hour or $6,697 a month.
- Hourly
- $38.63
- Vs. national median
- +34%
- Rank among cities
- 27 of 367
- Jobs in the area
- 100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,440 | $23.77 | |
| 25th | $57,660 | $27.72 | |
| Median | $80,360 | $38.63 | |
| 75th | $100,200 | $48.18 | |
| 90th | $110,900 | $53.29 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.
| San Francisco, CA | $125,200 |
| San Jose, CA | $108,200 |
| Vallejo, CA | $106,200 |
| Napa, CA | $101,500 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $94,060 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $85,960 |
| Sacramento, CA | $85,950 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $83,190 |
| Riverside, CA | $82,780 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $82,460 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $82,200 |
| Stockton, CA | $81,600 |
| San Diego, CA | $79,630 |
| Modesto, CA | $78,710 |
| Yuba City, CA | $78,520 |
| Oxnard, CA | $78,350 |
| Salinas, CA | $77,920 |
| Redding, CA | $77,550 |
| Merced, CA | $76,790 |
| Visalia, CA | $76,580 |
| El Centro, CA | $74,790 |
| Fresno, CA | $67,260 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $64,640 |
| Hanford, CA | $64,320 |
Related jobs in Chico
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $72,480 |
| Cabinetmaker and Bench Carpenter | $48,750 |
| Welder | $48,740 |
| Separating | $47,680 |
| Sawing Machine Setter | $46,210 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender | $45,130 |
| Inspector | $44,680 |
| Printing Press Operator | $44,550 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $44,110 |
| Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator | $41,530 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make an hour in Chico?
The median hourly pay in the Chico, CA metro area is $38.63 ($80,360 a year).
Do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make more in Chico than the national average?
Yes: $80,360 against $60,020 nationally, 34% more.
How does Chico compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $81,770, so Chico pays 2% less.
Where does Chico rank for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator pay?
27 of 367 metro areas with data.
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make starting out in Chico?
The lowest-paid 10% make $49,440 or less a year; the top 10% make $110,900 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.