How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make in Salem?
$65,270a year
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Salem, OR metro area. That is $31.38 an hour or $5,439 a month.
- Hourly
- $31.38
- Vs. national median
- +9%
- Rank among cities
- 90 of 367
- Jobs in the area
- 100
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $53,970Median: $65,270Highest 10%: $80,540
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $53,970 | $25.95 | |
| 25th | $59,500 | $28.61 | |
| Median | $65,270 | $31.38 | |
| 75th | $80,540 | $38.72 | |
| 90th | $80,540 | $38.72 |
Other cities in Oregon
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.
| Portland, OR | $83,860 |
| Eugene, OR | $70,250 |
| Bend, OR | $62,310 |
Related jobs in Salem
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $62,220 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $62,090 |
| Crushing | $59,290 |
| Machinist | $58,930 |
| Welder | $57,180 |
| Separating | $55,100 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $53,920 |
| Molder | $52,220 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setter | $51,540 |
| Cutting | $50,330 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make an hour in Salem?
The median hourly pay in the Salem, OR metro area is $31.38 ($65,270 a year).
Do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make more in Salem than the national average?
Yes: $65,270 against $60,020 nationally, 9% more.
How does Salem compare with the rest of Oregon?
The median in Oregon is $69,720, so Salem pays 6% less.
Where does Salem rank for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator pay?
90 of 367 metro areas with data.
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make starting out in Salem?
The lowest-paid 10% make $53,970 or less a year; the top 10% make $80,540 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.