How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make in Richmond?
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Richmond, VA metro area. That is $28.83 an hour or $4,998 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.83
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 180 of 367
- Jobs in the area
- 380
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,230 | $21.75 | |
| 25th | $49,070 | $23.59 | |
| Median | $59,970 | $28.83 | |
| 75th | $72,210 | $34.72 | |
| 90th | $78,340 | $37.66 |
Other cities in Virginia
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.
| Washington, DC | $73,600 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $62,460 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $61,970 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $59,610 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $49,180 |
| Staunton, VA | $48,800 |
| Winchester, VA | $48,120 |
| Kingsport, TN | $47,560 |
| Roanoke, VA | $46,620 |
Related jobs in Richmond
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Power Distributor and Dispatcher | $102,200 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operator | $77,930 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $73,630 |
| Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator | $64,750 |
| Power Plant Operator | $63,640 |
| Machinist | $62,650 |
| Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender | $61,840 |
| Coil Winder | $60,310 |
| Medical Appliance Technician | $58,210 |
| Welder | $57,710 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make an hour in Richmond?
The median hourly pay in the Richmond, VA metro area is $28.83 ($59,970 a year).
Do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make more in Richmond than the national average?
Yes: $59,970 against $60,020 nationally, 0% more.
How does Richmond compare with the rest of Virginia?
The median in Virginia is $59,420, so Richmond pays 1% more.
Where does Richmond rank for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator pay?
180 of 367 metro areas with data.
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make starting out in Richmond?
The lowest-paid 10% make $45,230 or less a year; the top 10% make $78,340 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.