SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $61,460 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $60,020.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $61,460 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $60,020. Half of workers earn between $48,580 and $66,580. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $41,570 and the ninetieth at $75,200.
The area has 960 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.9 of every thousand jobs. Lima leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $64,310. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 303rd of 647 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41,570 | −30.7% |
| 25th | $48,580 | −19.1% |
| Median (50th) | $61,460 | +2.4% |
| 75th | $66,580 | +10.9% |
| 90th | $75,200 | +25.3% |
| Mean | $59,230 | −1.3% |
Other metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lima | $64,310 | 50 | |
| 2 | Columbus | $63,700 | 730 | |
| 3 | Cleveland | $63,260 | 1,020 | |
| 4 | Sandusky | $62,790 | 70 | |
| 5 | Dayton | $61,050 | 410 | |
| 6 | Akron | $60,410 | 240 | |
| 7 | Toledo | $58,740 | 430 | |
| 8 | Canton | $52,150 | 210 | |
| 9 | Youngstown | $50,660 | 290 | |
| 10 | Mansfield | $50,610 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Cincinnati run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $61,460 goes as far as $66,228 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$61,460as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$66,228US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $61,460 a year, 2.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $41,570 to $75,200 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 960 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lima, at $64,310.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Cincinnati, OH?
The median annual wage is $61,460, or $29.55 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $60,020, so pay in Cincinnati, OH is 2.4% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Cincinnati, OH earns more than $75,200 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $41,570 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Lima, at $64,310 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 960 jobs in this occupation in Cincinnati, OH. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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