How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make in Salinas?
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Salinas, CA metro area. That is $37.46 an hour or $6,493 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.46
- Vs. national median
- +30%
- Rank among cities
- 40 of 367
- Jobs in the area
- 190
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,820 | $29.24 | |
| 25th | $74,420 | $35.78 | |
| Median | $77,920 | $37.46 | |
| 75th | $102,900 | $49.46 | |
| 90th | $125,500 | $60.36 |
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 |
| Modesto, CA | $78,710 |
| Yuba City, CA | $78,520 |
| Oxnard, CA | $78,350 |
| 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 Salinas
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $69,920 |
| Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator | $66,440 |
| Coating | $58,390 |
| Welder | $58,240 |
| Machinist | $56,490 |
| Separating | $52,320 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter | $47,230 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting | $46,650 |
| Helpers--Production Worker | $46,030 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender | $44,660 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make an hour in Salinas?
The median hourly pay in the Salinas, CA metro area is $37.46 ($77,920 a year).
Do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make more in Salinas than the national average?
Yes: $77,920 against $60,020 nationally, 30% more.
How does Salinas compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $81,770, so Salinas pays 5% less.
Where does Salinas rank for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator pay?
40 of 367 metro areas with data.
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make starting out in Salinas?
The lowest-paid 10% make $60,820 or less a year; the top 10% make $125,500 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.