▲10%
$18.68
Avg. Base Hourly Rate (USD)
/ hour
Avg. Base Hourly Rate (USD)
10%
$13.34
MEDIAN
$18.68
90%
$27
The average hourly pay for a Water Plant Operator is $18.68 in 2025
Hourly Rate
$13 - $27
Bonus
$148 - $9k
Total Pay
$28k - $57k
Is Average Early-Career Water Plant Operator with SCADA Skills Hourly Pay your job title? Find out what you should be paid
Use our tool to get a personalized report on your market worth.What's this?
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What is the Pay by Experience Level for Water Plant Operators?
What Do Water Plant Operators Do?
Water Plant Operator Tasks
- Maintain water testing and treatment plant equipment.
- Maintains documentation and records of plant operations and data.
- Collect, test, and analyze water samples.
- Operate wells and chemical feed systems, and oversee store tank levels to ensure compliance with regulations.
Find your market worth – how it works:
Common Health Benefits for a Water Plant Operator
Medical
95%
Dental
79%
Vision
76%
None
5%
Gender Breakdown for Water Plant Operators
Male
90.3%
Female
6.5%
Prefer to self-define
3.2%
This data is based on 31 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Water Plant Operators
What is the highest pay for Water Plant Operators?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Water Plant Operator is $27 / hour
What is the lowest pay for Water Plant Operators?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Water Plant Operator is $13.34 / hour
How can Water Plant Operators increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Water Plant Operator is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Water Plant Operator that oversees more junior Water Plant Operators, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.