How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make in Columbia?
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Columbia, MO metro area. That is $24.17 an hour or $4,189 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.17
- Vs. national median
- -16%
- Rank among cities
- 274 of 367
- Jobs in the area
- 90
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41,600 | $20.00 | |
| 25th | $48,170 | $23.16 | |
| Median | $50,270 | $24.17 | |
| 75th | $62,680 | $30.13 | |
| 90th | $80,490 | $38.70 |
Other cities in Missouri
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.
| St. Louis, MO | $57,850 |
| Kansas City, MO | $52,770 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $50,960 |
| St. Joseph, MO | $50,670 |
| Joplin, MO | $49,750 |
| Springfield, MO | $49,270 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $48,550 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $73,670 |
| Production Worker | $53,510 |
| Coating | $53,370 |
| Inspector | $52,810 |
| Welder | $52,700 |
| Machinist | $50,120 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setter | $48,310 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender | $48,070 |
| Engine and Other Machine Assembler | $46,500 |
| Printing Press Operator | $45,170 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, MO metro area is $24.17 ($50,270 a year).
Do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $50,270 against $60,020 nationally, 16% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of Missouri?
The median in Missouri is $49,940, so Columbia pays 1% more.
Where does Columbia rank for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator pay?
274 of 367 metro areas with data.
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $41,600 or less a year; the top 10% make $80,490 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.