How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make in Reading?
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Reading, PA metro area. That is $29.47 an hour or $5,108 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.47
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among cities
- 149 of 367
- Jobs in the area
- 190
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,580 | $21.91 | |
| 25th | $51,750 | $24.88 | |
| Median | $61,300 | $29.47 | |
| 75th | $73,130 | $35.16 | |
| 90th | $77,670 | $37.34 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.
| Philadelphia, PA | $66,680 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $65,480 |
| Altoona, PA | $65,110 |
| Allentown, PA | $64,190 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $63,680 |
| Lancaster, PA | $63,630 |
| York, PA | $61,250 |
| Scranton, PA | $61,110 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $60,530 |
| Johnstown, PA | $60,500 |
| State College, PA | $59,990 |
| Erie, PA | $59,180 |
| Williamsport, PA | $57,090 |
Related jobs in Reading
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $78,200 |
| Rolling Machine Setter | $70,310 |
| Metal-Refining Furnace Operator and Tender | $68,990 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $65,440 |
| Machinist | $59,550 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setter | $55,260 |
| Plating Machine Setter | $55,230 |
| Crushing | $54,890 |
| Welder | $54,840 |
| Cutting | $54,760 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make an hour in Reading?
The median hourly pay in the Reading, PA metro area is $29.47 ($61,300 a year).
Do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make more in Reading than the national average?
Yes: $61,300 against $60,020 nationally, 2% more.
How does Reading compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $63,310, so Reading pays 3% less.
Where does Reading rank for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator pay?
149 of 367 metro areas with data.
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make starting out in Reading?
The lowest-paid 10% make $45,580 or less a year; the top 10% make $77,670 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.