How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make in Modesto?
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Modesto, CA metro area. That is $37.84 an hour or $6,559 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.84
- Vs. national median
- +31%
- Rank among cities
- 35 of 367
- Jobs in the area
- 210
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $53,340 | $25.64 | |
| 25th | $63,100 | $30.34 | |
| Median | $78,710 | $37.84 | |
| 75th | $91,090 | $43.79 | |
| 90th | $97,550 | $46.90 |
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 |
| Chico, CA | $80,360 |
| San Diego, CA | $79,630 |
| 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 Modesto
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Extruding | $88,940 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $77,690 |
| Separating | $73,690 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting | $61,130 |
| Molder | $59,990 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setter | $59,150 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operator and Tender | $59,010 |
| Machinist | $55,950 |
| Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender | $54,770 |
| Cutting | $53,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make an hour in Modesto?
The median hourly pay in the Modesto, CA metro area is $37.84 ($78,710 a year).
Do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make more in Modesto than the national average?
Yes: $78,710 against $60,020 nationally, 31% more.
How does Modesto compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $81,770, so Modesto pays 4% less.
Where does Modesto rank for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator pay?
35 of 367 metro areas with data.
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make starting out in Modesto?
The lowest-paid 10% make $53,340 or less a year; the top 10% make $97,550 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.